Millions of Spaniards stage first general strike in 14 years as anger over housing leads to clashes
Unions said 4 million workers joined the walkout as flights, trains and ports were disrupted and protests over rents turned violent in some cities.
- On Wednesday, November 11, 2026, millions of Spanish workers participated in Spain's first general strike in 14 years, demanding better wages and housing amid a severe cost-of-living crisis.
- Soaring rent prices averaging 1,176 euros —nearly 98.7 percent of young workers' monthly salaries—strained budgets. The eviction and death of 87-year-old Maricarmen last month galvanized campaigners to mobilize union support for the strike.
- Unions reported 4 million participants and disruption reaching 90 percent in automotive manufacturing and ports. The Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations dismissed the walkout as a "failure," estimating average participation below 5 percent.
- Following clashes in Madrid and Barcelona, authorities counted 74 arrests and 20 injuries from police operations. Opposition leaders labeled the strike "political," claiming it was designed to aid Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's Socialist Party before elections.
- The unrest occurs 18 days before the November 29 snap general election, where Sánchez's left-wing coalition trails the conservative People's Party in polls amid corruption scandals and a deadly October train crash that killed 69 people.
202 Articles
202 Articles
The first nationwide strike in Spain in 14 years, caused by the acute housing crisis and the decline in living standards, resulted in massive clashes between protesters and the police in the central streets of Madrid and Barcelona.
Spain has seen a general strike and demonstrations, involving tens of thousands, to claim the right to housing and improve living conditions, the first in Spain since 2012.
The musician, who lives in Barcelona with his wife and daughter a few years ago, joined yesterday's general strike in Spain. On social networks, he shared images of his participation, highlighting that he went out to the street . . by two: Catalonia and Portugal
The general strike for the right to housing ended on Wednesday with massive processions in the big cities of Spain. If the left hopes to enjoy it in the ballot box, the right, it storms against a "democratic anomaly" three weeks from the legislatures.
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- 36% of the sources lean Left
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