Sánchez backs Spain’s first general strike in 14 years as opposition alleges exploitation

Pedro Sánchez’s government encouraged workers to join a general strike protesting the housing crisis and rising living costs, while opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo called the unions a “mafia.” Barcelona saw nighttime clashes with police weeks before the November 29 election.

This time, Spain’s government was not facing the unions, as is usually the case during general strikes, but standing alongside them. Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and his ministers encouraged workers to join the country’s first general strike since 2012, held in protest against the housing crisis, low wages and rising prices.

Sánchez shared a video praising the gains of the labor movement, saying: “The eight-hour working day, your pension and your public healthcare... they were all collective victories.” Responding to his critics, he told Spanish television: “The real nonsense is questioning workers’ right to strike.”

Spanish police officers during the general strike

Feijóo calls unions a “mafia” and “trash”

In contrast, conservative People’s Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo called the strike “nonsense” and described the unions as a “mafia” and “trash,” the BBC reported. Party spokesman Miguel Tellado accused the government of exploiting the strike to warn voters about a right-wing government, the outcome favored by opinion polls for the November 29 election.

Sánchez called an early election last month after parliament failed to approve his plan to reform the housing sector. Polls indicate that a coalition could form between the People’s Party and the far-right, anti-immigration Vox party.

Footage by Anadolu shows crowds in the streets at night, burning garbage containers and riot police moving in to disperse protesters.

Transport disruption and clashes in Barcelona

The Confederation of Tenants’ Associations said around 4 million people had joined the strike by midday, while 234 flights were canceled and trains operated at between 50 and 75 percent of capacity. In the evening, masked groups set garbage containers ablaze in central Barcelona, smashed storefronts and fired fireworks at police, who responded with tear gas. Authorities said more than 50 people had been arrested across the country.

A line of Spanish police officers on a Madrid street during the strike

In Madrid, authorities estimated that around 120,000 people took part in the march despite heavy rain.

The footage shows thousands of protesters filling Madrid’s main Gran Vía street at night.

Elderly woman’s death fuels anger

The protests gained momentum after 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal was evicted from the Madrid apartment where she had lived for seven decades. She died in hospital weeks later. According to property website Idealista, the average rent for a 50-square-meter apartment in the capital reached 1,170 euros in October, nearly half the average gross monthly wage of about 2,460 euros.

Photos and video: Anadolu. Madrid march video: social media

Sánchez backs Spain’s first general strike in 14 years as opposition alleges exploitation