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Protesters and police clashed in Barcelona on Wednesday (November 11) during Spain's first general strike in 14 years, as reported by The Guardian. The strike, which drew participation from millions across the country, was organized to protest against unaffordable housing and the high cost of living. In Barcelona, masked men set fire to trash bins and smashed shop windows, leading to dozens of arrests.
In Madrid, approximately 120,000 people joined the protests, according to The Globe and Mail. The country's main unions, UGT and CCOO, called for relief from rising housing costs, which have been exacerbated by a deficit of about 750,000 homes. The average rental price in Spain has nearly doubled over the past decade, putting pressure on household budgets.
The strike comes just weeks before a snap parliamentary election on November 29, which was called by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez after right-wing parties blocked emergency housing legislation. The election could see the far-right Vox party gain power in a coalition with the People’s Party.
The protests were marked by scuffles between pickets and police, particularly near Madrid's main wholesale market, Mercamadrid. According to NBC News, police used pepper spray to disperse protesters in some areas. More than 50 people were arrested nationwide for minor incidents related to the strike.
Despite the bad weather, with storms Charles and Bruna bringing strong winds and heavy rain, tens of thousands participated in marches across Spain. The strike was seen as a success by unions, with high participation reported in sectors like automotive and ports, although business owners' groups claimed it had limited impact.
The strike's slogan, "Salaries. Housing. Prices," reflects the deep frustration over housing costs, which have become a central issue in the upcoming election. Housing activists and unions are demanding government intervention to curb real estate speculation and provide more protections for renters.