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Spain stages its first general strike in 14 years over the housing crisis, weeks before a snap election
- What happened
- Millions of workers walked out across Spain for 24 hours, disrupting transport and industry.
- Why it matters
- Average rents have nearly doubled in a decade, and housing has become the defining election issue.
- What’s next
- Spain votes in a snap national election on November 29.
How this story developed
- 12:54First report
- 12:572nd source
- 12:57Confirmed
- 13:18+2 outlets in 12 min
- 12:54First reportNPR World
- 12:572nd sourceSouth China Morning Post
- 12:57ConfirmedWas: Single source
- 13:18Latest+2 outlets in 12 minAl Jazeera English and France 24
Full story
A country slowed down
Millions of workers across Spain went on strike on Wednesday to demand government action on housing, in the country's first general strike in 14 years, NPR and Al Jazeera report. The 24-hour walkout began at midnight and comes less than three weeks before a national election that could bring the far right to power.
In Barcelona, public transport was at a standstill or badly delayed during the morning rush, and roadblocks, some with burning tyres, were reported. In Madrid, city buses were hit hardest, and picketers scuffled with police near Mercamadrid, the country's main wholesale market. Many schools and universities reportedly closed or ran at minimal capacity.
The two unions behind the strike, UGT and CCOO, reported stoppages of 90 percent in the automotive and port sectors, 85 percent in the meat industry, 82 percent in waste collection and 75 percent in energy. The business organisation CEOE disputed this, saying participation was low in most sectors.
Why housing
The average rent in Spain has almost doubled over the past ten years. Al Jazeera, citing property portal Idealista, reports that a 50-square-metre flat in Madrid cost an average of 1,170 euros a month in October, against an average gross monthly salary of about 2,460 euros.
Anger peaked after the eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old Madrid pensioner who died days later. Protests followed, including a five-week occupation of Madrid's Puerta del Sol. Activists want an end to tourist apartments, a crackdown on speculation and automatic lease renewals; the unions are also seeking a new minimum wage agreement.
“There is one issue that is dividing the country: the struggle to access housing.”
Unai Sordo, CCOO secretary general, NPR World(translated)
The election backdrop
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the November 29 snap election after his minority government failed to win parliamentary approval for a housing package drawn up in response to the protests.
“This is not a strike against anyone, but rather one in favour of a common response from all levels of government to a real problem, which is access to housing.”
Pedro Sánchez, Prime Minister of Spain, Al Jazeera English(translated)
Business groups have called the walkout an election protest, and it has been criticised by the conservative Popular Party, which leads the polls, and the far-right Vox. PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo warned that unions risked being linked to Sánchez "forever".