Catholics in Madrid have been told they can't publicly pray the rosary this weekend due to the elections and a 'day of reflection'.

Elections for the European Parliament are taking place across the continent this weekend with populist parties expected to do well.

Last November a group of catholics began publicly praying for Spain in front of Immaculate Heart of Mary Shrine in Madrid which is close to the headquarters of the ruling Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE).

The prayers coincided with protests over a controversial amnesty law following the failed 2017 bid by Catalonia to secede from the rest of Spain.

During that protest a 60-year-old woman was arrested for praying the rosary on the streets.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government  told organisers of the daily Rosary in Madrid that they will not be allowed to gather in the city on June 8th of June 9th.

Catholics have continued to prayer the rosary openly with one prominent member already fined.   

According to www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/ the government says the ban is an issue of health and safety and an "understanding that there was not enough space for an emergency exit and that the ordinary deadlines [to give notice of public prayer] had to be met."