Spanish unions call general strike over housing before snap election

What the report says

Spanish trade unions have announced a nationwide general strike for November 11 over housing conditions, according to Al Jazeera’s reporting from AFP and Reuters. The plan was put forward by Spain’s two biggest unions, the Workers’ General Union (UGT) and Workers’ Commissions (CCOO), and still requires ratification by other unions at a meeting later in the week. If confirmed, it would be the first general strike jointly backed by both unions in 14 years.

The strike comes as housing has become a central issue ahead of Spain’s snap election on November 29. Al Jazeera reported that rising rents and evictions have featured prominently in the campaign after weeks of demonstrations tied to the eviction of an 87-year-old Madrid tenant, Maria del Carmen Abascal, widely known as Maricarmen. Her case helped spark protests and encampments in Madrid and later in other cities, including Barcelona.

Union representatives argue that housing costs are consuming too much of workers’ pay, while background figures cited by Al Jazeera point to a shortage of homes in Spain and high rental costs relative to young people’s incomes. The issue has also intensified after parliament failed to approve emergency housing measures last week, prompting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to call the early election. The vote is expected to be closely watched as conservatives seek to challenge Sanchez’s Socialists and far-right Vox could play a key role in forming a government.