Piñata effigy of Spain's prime minister causes political party upset

Demonstrators against the government's planned Catalan amnesty law gathered outside the Socialist party's offices once again on New Year's Eve.

As part of added festive spirit, a large image of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez - in the form of the celebratory piñatas hit by children with sticks - was hoisted above the crowd.

The abuse of the PM's effigy has not gone down well, with the PSOE party claiming it was a hate crime. But even the PM's coalition partner, Sumar, has said it was merely free speech and right-wing parties have pointed out that the left is prone to doing similar things.