Spain Holds First General Strike in 14 Years Over Housing Crisis

The update

Workers across Spain staged the country’s first general strike in 14 years on Wednesday, led by the CCOO and UGT unions across all industries. Public transport in Barcelona was at a standstill or delayed, Madrid buses were disrupted and schools and universities closed or ran at minimal capacity. The unions said stoppages reached 90% in automotive and ports. Roadblocks were reported in Barcelona, and scuffles near Madrid’s Mercamadrid market, where strikers said police used pepper spray.

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Why it matters

The strike centres on housing. Spain has a deficit of about 750,000 homes, average rent is €1,176 a month, and rents have almost doubled in a decade. Anger grew after the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal in Madrid, who later died and became a symbol of the crisis. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called a snap election for November 29 after parliament blocked his housing legislation, making housing the issue of the campaign.

What to watch

Marches were planned in Madrid, Barcelona and other cities later on Wednesday. On Thursday, the government will try to have parliament ratify two housing decrees rejected last month. Unions and housing activists are demanding automatic lease renewals, a crackdown on speculation, an end to tourist apartments and government intervention in the market.

Sources

• dw.com — confirms the strike leadership, housing deficit, rent figure and November 29 election
• thehindu.com — confirms the first strike in 14 years, union participation, transport disruption and incidents

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