Clashes erupted between police and groups of masked individuals in Barcelona as tens of thousands of citizens participated in Spain’s first general strike in 14 years. The labor action, organized by major unions, centers on public grievances over the escalating cost of living and the national housing crisis. According to spoke to a woman who attended the protests in Barcelona who, It was mostly very peaceful and “joyful”. Under the conservative government of Mariano Rajoy, has Spain held general strikes, not since 2012. Your public healthcare⦠These were collective conquests,” he wrote on social media, praising those who took part in previous strikes.
Major demonstrations drew 120,000 people in the capital, Madrid, while over 50,000 gathered in Barcelona. Footage from the scene in Barcelona depicted masked individuals smashing storefronts and igniting trash bins, prompting police to deploy tear gas. Law enforcement maintained a heavy presence in the city center throughout the evening, with officers equipped with riot shields and helmets. Small fires burned in the middle of the streets as bins were set alight. It was very intense,” she said, she was in the area of Las Ramblas in the evening and saw fires in the streets. “The fires were everywhere. With traffic halted on several main roads, earlier in the day there was major disruption around Madrid and Barcelona. Tyres were set on fire in the city of Gijon in northern Spain.
Reports from local media indicate that protesters fired fireworks toward police and looted businesses, including an Apple Store and a Lego shop. Despite these disturbances, some attendees described the atmosphere in other areas as largely peaceful and supportive, noting a diverse turnout that included families and elderly citizens. Close to the iconic Plaça de Catalunya in the centre of the city, some of the disturbances took place in the Passeig de Grà cia. Protesters were also seen trying to enter the Apple Store.
The interior ministry confirmed dozens of arrests related to various incidents. Beyond the street protests, the strike caused significant disruptions to public services and transportation networks across the country. Data from the energy operator Red Eléctrica showed a 7.5% drop in national power usage during the early hours of Wednesday, a figure smaller than the 15% reduction recorded during the previous general strike 14 years ago.
The mobilization follows years of rising rental costs, particularly in major cities. Official data shows the average monthly cost of a 50 sq m apartment in Madrid reached €1,170 in October, against an average gross monthly salary of approximately €2,460. The movement gained momentum following the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, who died in a hospital weeks after being forced from her home of seven decades. The monthly cost of a 50 sq m apartment in Madrid was an average of â¬1,170 ($1,300; £1,000) in October, according to property portal Idealista, while Spain’s average gross monthly salary is about â¬2,460. According to ãlvarez knew the 87-year-old, who had faced a tripling of her rent under new landlords, and, He was deeply upset by her treatment.
Labor union leadership hailed the action as successful. UGT leader Pepe Álvarez characterized the participation as “massive,” while Unai Sordo of the CC OO union described the turnout as “very significant.” Conversely, Miguel Garrido, vice-president of the CEOE business association, criticized the strike as politically motivated rather than labor-related, linking it to the upcoming 29 November parliamentary elections.
The political climate remains polarized ahead of the vote.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who called for snap elections last month after failing to secure housing reform, has voiced support for the right to strike. Sánchez and his ministers have even encouraged workers to down tools and demand affordable housing.
In contrast, the opposition People’s Party (PP) has accused the government of exploiting the unrest for electoral advantage.
PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo dismissed the strike as “nonsense,” while party spokesperson Miguel Tellado alleged the government is using the event to influence voters against a potential right-wing administration. Feijoo’s party is leading in the polls and party spokesman Miguel Tellado accused the government of exploiting the strike to warn voters against allowing a right-wing government to be formed, which looks the most likely outcome of the 29 November election.
For many participants, the motivation remains personal. Gonzalo Álvarez, a 27-year-old volunteer for a housing rights group, noted that he and his partner spend half of their combined salaries on rent for a small apartment in Madrid’s Arganzuela district. He stated that the cost of living—including food, electricity, and water—makes the prospect of buying a home completely impossible under current market conditions. According to she, She was there to protest about the housing costs and that “there were a lot of children and old people there. We’ve completely brought the city to a standstill,” a protester in Madrid told Reuters news agency, adding there was widespread support for the general strike. “Everyone’s out there, despite the rainy weather; everyone. According to another protester, 37-year-old teacher Olga Domingo,, She was protesting because “the housing situation is outrageous. Among those taking part in the general strike was Gonzalo Ãlvarez, 27, who was visiting different picket lines in central Madrid. He has been volunteering for a housing union that tries to protect tenants and makes them aware of their rights, although he works in sales.
With national elections looming, the scope and impact of this strike are expected to serve as a bellwether for public sentiment regarding the government’s handling of economic and housing challenges.
