‘It’s just too expensive’: Housing and wages at the heart of Spain’s strike

What the report says

Spain saw a nationwide general strike on Wednesday, the first such action in 14 years, as protesters and trade unions pressed for more affordable housing and higher wages. According to Al Jazeera, demonstrations took place in several cities, including Madrid, Barcelona and Malaga, with some shopfronts boarded up and police deployed around major stores amid fears of disorder.

The immediate trigger highlighted in the report was the September eviction of 87-year-old Maria del Carmen Abascal from the home she had occupied for seven decades after a sharp rent increase. Protesters said the case reflected a broader housing crisis, especially in major urban areas, where rents and living costs have outpaced incomes. Workers interviewed by Al Jazeera said housing absorbs much of a typical salary and leaves little room for food and other essentials.

The report also cited figures from Spain’s youth council indicating that a young person would need nearly all of their monthly pay to rent alone, underscoring why younger adults are particularly affected. Education workers were among those taking part, and some teachers in Madrid have already been on strike since the start of term.

The strike comes as Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez faces a snap election on November 29 after his minority government failed to pass tenant-protection measures. Al Jazeera said the housing crunch could become a major political issue, with Sanchez’s Socialists trailing in polls behind the combined right and far right.