Spain Sees First General Strike in 14 Years as Workers Protest Housing Crisis and Rising Prices

Madrid: Millions of workers and organisations took to the streets in Spain in the country’s first general strike in 14 years, protesting the severe housing crisis and rising prices. With the country set to face a general election in three weeks, the strike brought transport networks, factories and commercial activities to a standstill in the eurozone’s fourth-largest economy.

Rents in Spain have more than doubled over the past 10 years. Public anger intensified following the eviction of an 87-year-old woman, Maricarmen, from her home in Madrid last month and her subsequent death. Trade unions UGT and CCOO, along with housing rights activists, led the strike.

“Salaries. Housing. Prices.” was the main slogan of the protest. The demonstrators demanded strict action against real estate mafias, a ban on tourist apartments, protection of tenants’ rights and an increase in the minimum wage.

The government led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez had issued emergency decrees to address the crisis, but the measures failed to pass. Right-wing parties in Parliament, along with other regional parties, rejected the laws, preventing their implementation. Following this, the snap election was announced on October 5. The election is scheduled for November 29.

The right-wing Popular Party and the far-right Vox have accused the unions of turning the strike into a political spectacle ahead of the election.

Spain is currently governed by a coalition comprising the Socialist Party (PSOE) and its ally Sumar. The lower house of the Spanish Parliament, the Congreso de los Diputados, has 350 members, and a party or coalition needs 176 seats for a majority. Sanchez relies on the support of smaller regional parties from Catalonia, the Basque Country and other regions to continue in office.

The opposition used this situation to block welfare measures, further intensifying public anger and leading to the strike. In this context, the strike itself is also emerging as an expression of solidarity with the government.