‘A Mobilization That No One Imagined’: Furious Over Housing Costs, Millions Join General Strike in Spain

Clashes erupted in Barcelona following a nationwide general strike led by Spain's main unions, which protested against housing costs and the soaring cost of living. Approximately 120,000 demonstrators gathered in Madrid, while over 50,000 took part in Barcelona. Footage showed masked individuals setting fire to trash bins and smashing shop windows, with police responding by deploying tear gas.

Public transportation and essential services across Spain experienced significant disruptions. The strike aimed to bring attention to the housing crisis and the high cost of living. Spain is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections on November 29th. The head of the UGT labor union, Pepe Álvarez, declared the strike a success, citing massive participation.

Unai Sordo of the CC OO union echoed this sentiment, stating the turnout was "very significant." Police presence in Barcelona was notably heavy, with officers equipped with helmets and riot shields. Demonstrations were recorded in the city center, near the Plaça de Catalunya, where fires were reported, bins were set ablaze, and some protesters attempted to enter shops, including an Apple Store.

Local media reported that fireworks were thrown at the police, and looting took place in certain stores. A woman who attended the protests in Barcelona described the event as mostly peaceful and joyful, with many children and elderly people present. She witnessed intense fires throughout the streets around Las Ramblas. Earlier in the day, Madrid and Barcelona faced major transportation disruptions.

The interior ministry reported the arrest of numerous individuals for various offenses, and estate agencies reported attacks on their offices. Protesters praised the strike's impact, with one stating that Spain's cities had been "completely brought to a standstill." Another protester, a 37-year-old teacher, expressed dissatisfaction with the housing situation, citing the astronomical cost compared to wages.

The strike was sparked by widespread protests over affordable housing and rising living costs, following the eviction of an 87-year-old woman from a flat she had lived in for seven decades. The eviction occurred after her rent tripled due to new landlords. Rental prices in Madrid, for a 50 square meter apartment, averaged €1,170 per month in October, while the average gross monthly salary stood at about €2,460.

This means that nearly half of the average wage is spent on housing alone, surpassing the 30% affordability threshold recommended by housing experts and public institutions. Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called for early elections after parliament failed to approve his housing reform plan. The conservative People's Party accused the government of using the strike for electoral advantage, calling the unions "mafia" and "trash."

The government, however, defended workers' rights to strike and emphasized the importance of addressing workers' demands. One of the strike participants, Gonzalo Álvarez, highlighted the eviction of Maricarmen Abascal as the catalyst for widespread protests. Álvarez, who rents a small flat in Madrid with his girlfriend, expressed his concern over the skyrocketing housing costs and the impossibility of buying a home under current conditions.