Spain’s workers hold a general strike over housing costs ahead of a national election

Summary

• Millions of Spanish workers participated in the country's first general strike in 14 years to protest housing costs, salaries, & prices.
• Unions CCOO & UGT hailed the walkout as a success with high turnout in strategic sectors like automotive, ports, meat, waste collection, & energy, while business groups & the conservative Madrid government called it a failure.
• Protests caused transport disruptions including 5% flight cancellations, halted metro & bus services in Barcelona, & blocked streets in Madrid.
• The strike was sparked by the eviction & subsequent death of an 87-year-old woman named Maricarmen, which intensified anger over average rents doubling in the last decade.
• Activists & unions are demanding the elimination of tourist apartments, a crackdown on real estate speculation, automatic lease renewals, & new minimum wage agreements.
• Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez hopes to leverage the strike to refocus the Nov. 29 national election campaign on housing issues ahead of his early election bid.
• Right-wing parties PP & Vox argue the unions are aiding Sanchez & stand to benefit if the strike turns violent or sees low turnout.
• Minor incidents including tire burnings, police scuffles, & the use of pepper spray were reported during the demonstrations.