BERLIN, Oct 2 (AFP) - An estimated 10,000 demonstrators gathered at the Alexanderplatz square in east Berlin Saturday to protest against German government economic reforms that will reduce unemployment benefits.
Demonstrations, mostly in the depressed former East Germany, have seen tens of thousands of people take to the streets in recent months.
Former East Germany is particularly hit by high unmeployment since the reunification of the two Germanys in 1990.
The demonstration at the Alexanderplatz, heart of what was formerly its capital East Berlin, was called by the PDS (Party of Democratic Socialism), the democratic successors to the communist party that ran former East Germany.
It was also called by the anti-globalisation group Attac and the service sector union Ver.di.
The controversial reforms foresee a reduction of unemployment benefit to the long-term unemployed as of next January.
Demonstrators' banners proclaimed "We Are The People," and one group of young people brandished a flag of the former (East) German Democratic Republic with the slogan "Back to the future."
"I have come here to show solidarity with the younger generation that cannot find work. Schroeder's reforms will not create jobs," said pensioner Norbert Katz.
Germans say in opinion polls that Schroeder's so-called Hartz IV reforms are necessary to pull the country out of its economic slump, but criticise the government for inconsistent policies and failing to sell the reforms to the public.