Tens of thousands of protesters marched through central Madrid on a rainy Wednesday in Spain’s first nationwide 24-hour general strike in 14 years, targeting soaring housing costs and declining purchasing power just weeks before a snap general election.
Braving heavy rain, around 120,000 demonstrators carried placards shaped like houses and chanted slogans demanding affordable shelter. The nationwide stoppage disrupted public transport and blocked roads, setting up a major political test for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez ahead of the November 29 vote.
“People work a lot and it isn’t enough to pay the rent, to pay for a house,” stated 25-year-old theatre technician Paula Diaz, who resides with her parents, while speaking to journalists at the demonstration in Madrid.
Political Stakes Ahead of November Election
The size of the demonstrations serves as an indicator of public discontent before the snap general election, which polls predict the right-wing opposition will win. Following the failure of his minority administration to win parliamentary backing for a set of housing initiatives, Sánchez announced the early election, which had originally been planned for 2027.
Unions insisted the walkout targeted all levels of the state rather than just the right-wing parties that voted down the government’s housing decrees. Living costs remain a central concern, with inflation hitting 4.9% in September and October, reaching its highest level in more than three years, while rentals surged by 80% within a decade and the cost of homes climbed by 63%.
Unai Sordo, the head of Spain’s biggest labour union, the Workers’ Commissions, told the broadcaster Cadena Ser that housing is the primary issue fracturing the country, noting that costs had climbed by as much as 12% annually. At the protest in Madrid, Almudena López, 74, and her husband attended thinking of their children.
“My son is 43 years old and still doesn’t own a home as he cannot afford one,” López said. Isabel Iglesias, a 27-year-old nurse who lives in Madrid, said Sanchez, who has been in power since 2018, “could have done much more” on housing, urging the next government “to listen to everyone and get their act together”.
Conflicting Reports on Strike Participation
Unions described the nationwide turnout as massive and successful, pointing to heavy participation in car manufacturing, petrochemicals, meat sectors, and coastal regions. UGT union leader Pepe Alvarez told public broadcaster RTVE that participation was “massive” with a “total” stoppage in some regions. In contrast, business leaders played down the industrial action. The Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations (CEOE) called the strike a failure, stating that activity had proceeded normally in most sectors and noting that electricity demand fell by only about 5%.
Government officials reported that more than 50 people were arrested over minor incidents across the country. Demonstrators in Barcelona marched through the luxury Passeig de Gracia commercial thoroughfare, where local authorities estimated turnout at 55,000 people. “The price of rents should be regulated,” Maria Pinana, who lives with three friends in a flat where parts of the roof has collapsed, told reporters.
Spain Holds a General Election Following Protests over Inflation
* When is Spain’s upcoming general election? Spain is holding a general election on November 29, after Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called a snap vote following the collapse of his emergency housing legislation.
* What sparked the nationwide wave of protests? Inflation hit 4.9% in September and October, marking the highest level recorded in the country in more than three years.
Earlier coverage: Spain General Strike Disrupts Transport and Industry Over Housing Crisis
More on Spain
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