Following tens of thousands of participants in Spain’s first nationwide strike in 14 years, which was called by the nation’s major unions over housing and the high cost of living, clashes have broken out between protest groups and police in Barcelona.
More than 50,000 people attended a protest in Barcelona, where images showed masked individuals shattering storefront windows and lighting fire to trash cans while police used tear gas. About 120,000 people participated in a demonstration in the capital, Madrid.
Public transportation and other services were severely disrupted throughout Spain.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | General Strike |
| Country | Spain |
| Main Cities | Madrid and Barcelona |
| Main Issues | Housing Crisis and Rising Living Costs |
| Organisations | UGT and CC OO Trade Unions |
| Arrests | Dozens Reported |
| Average Madrid Rent | €1,170 Per Month |
| Average Monthly Salary | Approximately €2,460 |
| Key Demand | Affordable Housing and Fair Wages |
Spain Strike Sparks Violent Street Clashes
On November 29, Spanish voters are scheduled to cast ballots in legislative elections.
On Wednesday nite, there was a significant police presence in Barcelona’s downtown, with policemen donning riot shields and helmets.
The Passeig de Gràcia, which is near the famous Plaça de Catalunya in the city center, was the site of some of the disturbances.
Spain Strike Disrupts Major Cities
Traffic on a number of important roadways in the Madrid and Barcelona area was stopped earlier in the day due to significant disruptions.
Numerous arrests were made, according to the police.A demonstrator in Madrid told the Reuters news agency, “We’ve completely brought the city to a standstill,” adding that the nationwide strike was widely supported. “Everyone’s out there, despite the rainy weather; everyone’s out on the streets.”
Spain Protests Over Housing Crisis
Olga Domingo, a 37-year-old teacher, was another protester. She claimed that the government “keep making cuts” and that “the housing situation is outrageous.” The current living expenses in relation to earnings are totally unsustainable.
That is much more than the 30% affordability threshold that public institutions and housing specialists frequently advise, and it amounts to almost half of the typical gross pay.
