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Police confronted striking workers and protesters blocked roads across Spain on Wednesday as the country held its first general strike in 14 years, demanding affordable housing and higher wages ahead of a national election, Anadolu Agency reported.
The 24-hour walkout disrupted transport and industrial operations. At least 23 people had been arrested by late morning, according to public broadcaster “RTVE”.
At Mercamadrid, Madrid’s main wholesale food market, the Workers’ Commissions union said 13 protesters needed medical attention after police intervened against a picket line. Union leader Unai Sordo condemned officers’ use of pepper spray, saying the protesters had been peaceful.
In Catalonia, picketers blocked major highways, industrial estates and entrances to Barcelona’s Sants railway station. Unions also reported production stoppages at major car manufacturing plants.
The country’s main unions, UGT and Workers’ Commissions, called the strike alongside smaller labour organisations after sustained pressure from housing campaigners. The movement gained momentum after the eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman who later died in hospital, became a rallying point for protests over soaring housing costs.
Organisers are also demanding higher wages and stronger public services. “No salary can keep up with housing prices in our country,” UGT leader Pepe Alvarez said before the strike.
Unions and employers differ on participation
UGT and Workers’ Commissions reported early participation rates of around 90% in the automotive industry and at ports, including Valencia and Algeciras. They also reported significant stoppages in meat processing and garbage collection.
The unions cited a 10% decline in electricity consumption as evidence of the strike’s impact. Employers’ associations described participation as low, noting that energy consumption had fallen by 14% during previous general strikes.
The disruption varied across public services. Andalusia’s regional government said schools and health facilities operated normally, while regional broadcaster “Canal Sur” suspended television programming because of the strike. Universities in other regions largely halted classes.
Transport services ran at reduced capacity, with trains operating at 50% to 75% of normal levels, 234 flights cancelled and public transport curtailed. Demonstrations were scheduled throughout the day, with major marches planned for the evening in cities across Spain.
Strike draws criticism ahead of election
The strike comes weeks before Spain’s Nov. 29 election. The governing coalition has supported the walkout, while right-wing opposition leaders accused unions of campaigning on behalf of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
The government and its parliamentary allies encouraged participation, linking protesters’ demands to their housing and social policies. Popular Party leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo called the strike “the most profound historic mistake by unions since democracy began in our country” in an interview with broadcaster “Cuatro” on Tuesday.
Far-right Vox leader Santiago Abascal said the walkout “should not be legal” and accused unions of siding with Sanchez’s government against the opposition. He warned that his party would “take note” of the unions’ conduct if Spain underwent a change of government.
Union leaders said preparations for the strike began before Sanchez announced the election. Alvarez said on Wednesday that the demands were directed not only at the central government but also at regional and local authorities and employers.
“The Popular Party and the Socialist Party have to listen to us because the streets are speaking forcefully. There is a very serious housing problem,” Alvarez told “RTVE”.
