Spain Gripped by First General Strike in 14 Years Amid Housing Crisis Protests

Police clashed with union members picketing at the entrance to Mercamadrid, Spain's primary wholesale market for fresh produce, as a 24-hour nationwide general strike commenced. The strike, occurring just weeks before a snap November 29 election that could usher in the far right, is a demand for wages that enable access to decent housing.

Millions of workers across Spain are participating in the walkout, which began at midnight on Wednesday. The action has disrupted public transport and led to scaled-back operations or complete closures of businesses, factories, and shops throughout the eurozone's fourth-largest economy. This marks Spain's first general strike in 14 years.

Initial hours saw minor incidents, including roadblocks with burning tires in Barcelona, Spain's second-largest city. Scuffles between picketers and police were also reported near Mercamadrid, on the outskirts of Madrid. The two principal unions spearheading the strike, UGT and CCOO, reported substantial participation, citing significant work stoppages in key sectors like the automotive and port industries, with 90 percent participation reported in these areas, according to a social media statement.

The average rent in Spain has nearly doubled over the last decade, significantly impacting household budgets and fueling public anger. The catalyst for the current wave of mass protests was the September eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old Madrid resident who passed away shortly after. Housing activists utilized the public outcry over Abascal's eviction to call for the general strike.

Spain's socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called the snap election for November 29 after his minority government failed to gain parliamentary approval for housing measures proposed in response to the protests. Sanchez stated in an interview with La Vanguardia that the strike is not against anyone but rather a call for a unified governmental response to the critical issue of housing access.

Business groups have rejected the strike, characterizing it as an election-related protest. The conservative opposition Popular Party (PP) and the far-right Vox party have also criticized the action. PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo cautioned that aligning with Sanchez through this strike could permanently link the unions to the Prime Minister. Feijoo, whose party currently leads in opinion polls, deemed proceeding with the strike a "serious mistake," particularly in the wake of a fatal high-speed train collision last month.

The average gross monthly salary in Spain is approximately 2,460 euros. In October, renting a 50-square-meter apartment in Madrid averaged 1,170 euros per month, according to property portal Idealista. This figure represents nearly half of the average gross salary and 98.7 percent of the average young person's income, as per the Youth Council of Spain, far exceeding the 30 percent threshold recommended by housing experts and public institutions.