Spain’s first general strike in 14 years begins

What the report says

Spain has seen its first general strike in 14 years, with millions of workers walking out on Wednesday in a 24-hour protest over the country’s housing crisis, according to Al Jazeera. The strike affected public transport and forced some businesses, factories and shops to cut back operations or shut down, while small-scale disruptions were reported in cities including Barcelona and Madrid.

The action was organized by the main unions, UGT and CCOO, and came less than three weeks before Spain’s November 29 snap election. Al Jazeera reported that the strike is linked to anger over housing costs, with activists and unions pressing the government to act on rents and access to affordable homes. In the early hours, there were roadblocks in Barcelona and clashes between police and picketers near Mercamadrid, the capital’s main wholesale market.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called the election after his minority government failed to win backing for a housing package. Business groups and opposition parties criticized the strike, calling it politically timed, while Sanchez said it was meant to push for a shared response to a real housing problem. The issue has become politically important as housing costs have risen sharply, especially in major cities, and have become a key concern for workers and younger Spaniards.