Barcelona clashes erupt as Spain holds first general strike
Tens of thousands join Spain's first general strike in 14 years over housing costs, leading to violent clashes in Barcelona ahead of November 29 elections.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Spain faces its first general strike in 14 years driven by soaring living and housing costs.
- Over 120,000 protesters demonstrated in Madrid and more than 50,000 turned out in Barcelona.
- Masked individuals clashed with police in Barcelona, setting fires and looting stores.
- The protests were sparked by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman and severe rent affordability issues.
Tensions boiled over in Spain as masked groups and police clashed in Barcelona following a nationwide general strike, the first of its kind in 14 years. The industrial action was called by the country's main trade unions to protest surging living expenses and an acute housing affordability crisis.
An estimated 120,000 people marched through the capital of Madrid, while upwards of 50,000 gathered in Barcelona. As night fell, chaotic scenes unfolded in Barcelona as masked men ignited rubbish bins, smashed retail windows, and launched fireworks at riot police, who responded by deploying tear gas.
Disturbances heavily impacted areas such as the Passeig de Gràcia near the central Plaça de Catalunya. Local media reported widespread street fires, fireworks directed at law enforcement, and looting incidents targeting stores including the Lego shop alongside attempted break-ins at the Apple Store.
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Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The protests gained massive momentum following the high-profile eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her Madrid apartment of seven decades after her rent tripled under new landlords. She passed away in the hospital weeks later, igniting widespread public outrage.
"The housing situation is outrageous. The current cost of living compared to wages is completely unsustainable."
Olga Domingo, 37-year-old teacher
According to property portal Idealista, the average monthly rent for a 50 sq m apartment in Madrid hit €1,170 in October. With Spain's average gross monthly salary sitting around €2,460, rent consumes nearly half of a typical worker's income—far exceeding the 30% affordability threshold recommended by housing experts.
Unlike previous strikes, this movement has seen unusual backing from Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and his ministers, who encouraged workers to participate. Sánchez called snap parliamentary elections for November 29 after lawmakers blocked his housing reform package, though the conservative People's Party has accused the government of exploiting the strike for political gain.
Miguel Garrido, vice-president of Spain's main business association CEOE, criticized the strike, arguing that businesses bear little responsibility for housing prices and that the demonstrations are politically motivated ahead of the upcoming election.
Source: BBC World
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