Spanish workers launched a countrywide general strike on Wednesday, setting up picket lines amid severe weather to protest an escalating housing affordability crisis in just weeks ahead of a snap general election scheduled for November 29.
The nation's two largest labor unions, UGT and CCOO joined forces with tenants' rights groups to back the strike the first unified general strike in Spain in 14 years. Protesters are demanding urgent government intervention against soaring rent costs and frequent evictions.
Union officials reported high early participation in industrial sectors, reaching 90% at major ports and automotive plants, including full stoppages at Volkswagen's Navarre factory and SEAT's Barcelona plant. Disruption was also recorded across energy-intensive industries, waste collection and wholesale supply centers. Clashes broke out at Madrid’s Mercamadrid wholesale market, where police dispersed picketers.
Spain faces a deficit of approximately 750,000 homes which the central bank estimates could surpass one million by 2028. According to the Youth Council of Spain, the average monthly rent of €1,176 ($1,315) now consumes nearly 99% of a young worker's average salary, pricing millions out of independent housing.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the snap election after parliament rejected government measures aimed at curbing evictions and rent caps.
While Sánchez has blamed right-wing regional governments for housing shortages, union leaders and protesters accuse the central government of failing to address economic strain, labor rights and public infrastructure. Conversely, business lobbies warned the strike hurts small enterprises, urging tax cuts and deregulation to boost construction instead.
