Spain hit by major general strike over housing costs ahead of election

A nationwide general strike has brought significant disruption to transport and public services across Spain, marking the country's first such widespread walkout in 14 years. Organised by major labour federations over soaring living costs and a growing housing crisis, the industrial action comes just weeks ahead of a snap parliamentary election.

Commuters and commercial operations felt the brunt of the shutdown on Wednesday, particularly in the industrial centres of Catalonia and Madrid, where key motorways were blocked. The interior ministry reported that police detained dozens of individuals over various disturbances, and local media noted that several property agency branches were targeted. Grid operator Red Eléctrica recorded a 7.5% drop in power consumption during the morning, reflecting curtailed industrial output.

Trade union leadership framed the mobilisation as a substantial triumph. Pepe Álvarez of the UGT union described worker turnout as massive, and Unai Sordo of the CC OO characterised participation as highly significant. Conversely, the Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations disputed the scale of the stoppage, calling adherence low, patchy and largely motivated by politics rather than workplace concerns.

Public outrage over housing affordability served as the primary catalyst for the movement. Unrest accelerated following the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her long-term Madrid residence after a rent hike, after which she died in hospital. Property figures from portal Idealista indicate that a modest 50-square-metre flat in the capital averaged €1,170 per month in October. With average gross monthly wages hovering around €2,460, rent alone consumes nearly half of typical earnings, far surpassing the 30% affordability benchmark recommended by analysts.

The walkout has also highlighted deep political friction ahead of the national vote scheduled for 29 November. Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez dissolved parliament and called early elections last month when his proposed housing legislation failed to secure legislative backing. Unlike past administrations that resisted nationwide walkouts, Sánchez and cabinet members voiced support for the demonstration, framing collective strike action as an essential historic right.

Opposition figures have strongly rejected the government's stance. Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the conservative People's Party, condemned the stoppage as baseless, while party representatives argued that the ruling coalition was using the union action to influence voters against a potential right-wing victory. Polls suggest the conservatives currently hold a lead heading into the polling day. Large afternoon marches were planned across urban centres, including Madrid and Barcelona, to register broader discontent.