Around four million workers participated in a nationwide general strike across Spain on Wednesday, according to trade unions, protesting soaring housing costs, rising rents and evictions less than three weeks before the country’s snap general election.
Despite stormy weather, demonstrators established picket lines in several parts of the country, demanding action to address the worsening housing affordability crisis.
The walkout marked Spain’s first general strike since 2012, when workers staged nationwide protests against austerity measures introduced during the eurozone debt crisis.
Wednesday’s industrial action was supported by Spain’s two largest trade unions, the General Union of Workers (UGT) and Workers’ Commissions (CCOO), which together represent more than one million workers.
Tenants’ associations also joined the protests, expressing frustration over escalating rental prices and evictions that have placed increasing financial pressure on households.
Union leaders described the strike as a success, although participation varied considerably across the country.
The strongest support was reported in coastal regions, where housing affordability has become particularly acute.
The strike comes at a politically sensitive time for Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, whose Socialist Party faces a snap general election scheduled for November 29.
Sanchez is seeking to make housing affordability a central election issue, hoping to capitalise on public dissatisfaction with rising living costs.
His government is also facing political pressure over corruption investigations involving members of his inner circle and a deadly train crash last month.
Despite efforts to shift attention towards housing and economic concerns, the Socialist Party continues to trail its rivals in opinion polls.
The nationwide walkout has brought Spain’s housing crisis into sharper focus ahead of the election, highlighting growing public frustration over the cost of accommodation and demands for stronger government intervention.