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The walkout marks Spain’s first general strike since 2012, when workers protested against austerity measures during the euro zone debt crisis.
Police officers stand next to a fire during a 24-hour nationwide general strike demanding wages sufficient to afford decent housing, in Barcelona, Spain. (Source: Reuters)
A nationwide general strike in Spain over the country’s worsening housing crisis witnessed violent scenes in parts of the country on Wednesday, with protesters clashing with police and setting fires in Barcelona.
Tensions also escalated in Madrid, where riot police deployed tear gaspepper spray and foam bullets to disperse demonstrators.
The strike, backed by the country’s two largest labour unions, was largely peaceful during the day, with around four million workers participating, according to union estimates.
However, confrontations broke out in Barcelona and Madrid by the evening, after large demonstrations were held across several Spanish cities.
Protesters Clash With Police
In Barcelona, clashes erupted between police and groups of protesters after the main march had concluded. According to Reuters, furniture placed on the streets was set ablaze amid the unrest.
In Madrid, riot police resorted to foam bullets, tear gas and pepper spray to disperse demonstrators gathered around the central Plaza de España, a Reuters witness reported.
At A Glance
Around four million workers participated in Spain’s nationwide general strike according to union estimates.
Police recorded at least 73 arrests across the country following 1,044 incidents connected to the strike.
Spain faces a deficit of approximately 750,000 homes which the central bank expects to exceed one million by 2028.
The average monthly rent of 1,176 euros accounts for around 98.7% of the average monthly salary of a young person in Spain.
Spanish protests turn VIOLENT in parts of the country with FIRES being set in Barcelona https://t.co/bygImJIMqt— RT (@RT_com) November 11, 2026
Police recorded at least 73 arrests across the country by 2100 GMT, following 1,044 incidents connected to the strike. These included blockades outside offices and industrial estates, as well as the burning of rubbish containers.
The walkout marks Spain’s first general strike since 2012, when workers protested against austerity measures during the euro zone debt crisis.
The latest mobilisation has brought together the General Union of Workers (UGT), the Workers’ Commissions (CCOO) and tenants’ associations protesting against soaring rents and evictions.
Housing Crisis Fuels Nationwide Protests
Workers took to the streets despite stormy weather, with major demonstrations organised in Madrid, Barcelona and several other cities, less than three weeks ahead of Spain’s snap general election scheduled for November 29.
On Madrid’s Gran Via, one of the capital’s busiest shopping districts, demonstrators cheered as prominent retail outlets, including Primark, H&M and Pull&Bear, shut their stores amid a heavy police deployment.
Protesters were also heard chanting, “We’re going to close the Mango store,” while waving house keys above their heads. Several shops in Barcelona were similarly shut and boarded up ahead of possible disturbances.
The protests come against the backdrop of a severe housing shortage. Spain faces a deficit of approximately 750,000 homes, a figure that the country’s central bank expects to exceed one million by 2028.
As homeownership becomes increasingly unaffordable, demand for rental accommodation has surged. The average monthly rent of €1,176 ($1,315) now accounts for around 98.7% of the average monthly salary of a young person in Spain, according to the Youth Council of Spain.
“I’m 36 years old, and I still can’t move out on my own,” said Madrid resident Jesus Gonzalez, who works in a hospital IT department and supports the strike. “Rents just keep going up, house prices just keep going up, and it’s simply impossible,” he added.
Unions Claim Strike Success
Despite uneven participation across the country, unions described the industrial action as a success, with particularly strong support in coastal areas where housing affordability has emerged as a major concern.
UGT and CCOO reported participation levels of 90% across ports and the automotive industry. They also reported complete shutdowns at several manufacturing facilities, including Volkswagen’s plant in Navarre and SEAT’s factory in Barcelona.
Spain’s electricity demand fell by as much as 15.5% between 10 am and 11 am, according to grid operator Red Electrica.
Public transport services were also affected. Barcelona’s metro announced that trains would operate only during peak commuting hours, while Madrid’s metro recorded a 42% decline in peak-hour usage compared with the corresponding period last week.
However, the growing prevalence of remote working and the increasing contribution of the services sector could limit the economic impact of the strike.
Unions Criticise Police Response
The unions have threatened to file a criminal complaint over what they termed a “disproportionate” police response. They alleged that an operation involving tear gas and batons left 20 protesters injured.
Spain’s Interior Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The strike comes after weeks of demonstrations following the eviction and subsequent death of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid. Public anger over housing conditions intensified further after parliament rejected government decrees last month that sought to restrict evictions and ease rental pressures.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called a snap election for November 29, with his Socialist Party hoping to turn public discontent over housing into electoral support.
The government is also facing scrutiny over a deadly migration incident in Ceuta and a train crash last month, even as it defends its handling of both incidents.
With inputs from Reuters
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Ask News18The nationwide general strike was triggered by Spain’s worsening housing crisis, soaring rents, and evictions, which sparked widespread public outrage and nationwide protests backed by major labor unions.
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Prisha is the Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, with more than 10 years of experience in national and international news. She specialises in editorial leadership, sharp news judgment, and high-impact st…Read More
November 12, 2026, 05:26 IST
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