2012 Year In Review: Austerity Protests Rock Europe's Capitals

Photo: Twitter

Garbage left in protest in front of a Madrid bank branch

Photo: Reuters

A protester in central Madrid heckles people eating at a restaurant that decided to remain open in the midst of a general strike.

Photo: Reuters

A naked demonstrator runs through Athens' Syntagma Square during protests on Oct. 9.

Photo: Reuters

Protesters marched in Athens during a visit by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Photo: Reuters

Spanish police violently clash with protesters on the street.

Photo: Reuters

A Greek riot police officer is engulfed in flames after being hit by a gasoline bomb during massive protests in Athens.

Photo: Reuters

Spanish riot police surround a protester during anti-government rallies in Madrid.

Photo: Reuters

On-duty Greek riot police clashed with a small contingent of colleagues on strike in an event that put an emotional climax to a week of protests in Greece.

Photo: Reuters

Portugal: Hand-made signs decorate the pavement at Lisbon's Terrero do Paco square during anti-austerity protests.

Photo: Reuters/Yannis Behrakis

An anti-austerity protester wrapped in a Greek flag sits in front of police guarding parliament in Athens during a demonstration on the second day of a 48-hour strike by Greek unions.

Photo: Reuters/Rafael Marchante

Demonstrators arrive at Terrero do Paco Square during a massive protest in Lisbon.