Spain Hit by Widespread Disruption in First General Strike in 14 Years
Unions say turnout was strong, while employers describe participation as low and uneven. The action comes weeks before parliamentary elections on 29 November.
Key points
- Unions called Spain's first general strike in 14 years over housing and living costs
- Transport and public services faced serious disruption, especially in Madrid and Catalonia
- Officials reported dozens of detentions over the course of the day
- Unions and employers disagree sharply on how many people took part
- Parliamentary elections are scheduled for 29 November
Transport and other public services across Spain faced serious disruption on Wednesday, as unions held the first general strike in 14 years. According to the BBC, the walkout was called over housing and the high cost of living. Protests were also scheduled for later in the day, with the largest expected in Madrid and Barcelona.
Union leaders described the turnout as strong. Pepe Álvarez of the UGT union called participation massive, while Unai Sordo of CC OO said it was very significant. The Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations took a different view, saying participation was low and uneven across different areas and sectors.
Read also: Spain Holds First General Strike in 14 Years Over Housing
The Guardian reported that support was strongest in coastal regions such as Catalonia and Andalusia, where housing costs have risen most sharply. Unions said participation reached 90 percent in automotive and port work, and 82 percent in waste collection. Many schools and universities were closed or running with only a small number of staff.
Disruption on the streets
The heaviest disruption was seen in Madrid and Catalonia, where traffic was stopped on several major roads. In Barcelona, workers built roadblocks, some made with burning tyres, and public transport nearly ground to a halt. In Madrid, clashes between pickets and police broke out close to the city’s main wholesale market.
Officials in the interior ministry reported that dozens of individuals had been detained over a range of incidents. Government figures put the number of arrests at 27 by midday. Spanish media also reported attacks on estate agency offices.
How the protests began
Anger over housing costs boiled over in September. The forced removal of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her Madrid apartment, where she had lived for seven decades, drew wide attention. She died in hospital weeks later. Protests and encampments then appeared across the country.
Rents in the capital have climbed steeply in recent years. Property portal Idealista put the average monthly cost of a 50 square metre flat in Madrid at €1,170 in October. Average gross monthly pay in Spain is about €2,460, so rent alone takes close to half of that. Housing specialists and public bodies generally advise that housing should cost no more than 30% of income.
Political background
Pedro Sánchez, the Socialist prime minister, announced an early vote last month, after lawmakers rejected his housing reform plan. The election is set for 29 November. Spain has not seen a general strike since 2012, when Mariano Rajoy led a conservative government.
The conservative People’s Party, led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has accused the government of trying to use the strike for electoral gain. The party leads in opinion polls, and a right-wing government currently appears the most probable result of the vote.
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Frequently asked questions
Why did Spain hold a general strike?
Unions called the strike over housing costs and the high cost of living. Anger grew after the eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her Madrid home.
When are Spainu0026#039;s parliamentary elections?
The national vote is scheduled for 29 November. Sánchez called the early election after his housing plan stalled in parliament.
Were there arrests during the strike?
Officials said dozens of people were detained across the country. Government figures counted 27 arrests by midday, according to The Guardian.
Sources
- BBC News: Spain sees widespread disruption in first general strike for 14 years
- The Guardian: Millions join Spain’s first general strike in 14 years in protest at rising housing costs
This article was written with the help of AI from reports by the outlets listed above. See our Editorial Policy. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
