Spain's first general strike in 14 years brings widespread disruption

First strike in 14 years hits Spain

Spain's main unions called the first general strike since 2012 on Wednesday over housing and the high cost of living. Transport and public services faced serious disruption.

Tens of thousands marched in major cities

Demonstrations took place across Spain, including in Madrid and Barcelona, where tens of thousands marched in the evening. Traffic was halted on several main roads.

Union leaders claim success, business groups disagree

UGT head Pepe Álvarez said the strike was a success with massive participation. CC OO's Unai Sordo called turnout very significant. The Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations said participation was low and uneven.

Housing crisis sparked by eviction of elderly woman

The strike was triggered by the eviction of eighty-seven-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from a flat in Madrid where she had lived for seven decades. She died in hospital weeks later.

Madrid rents consume half of average salary

The monthly cost of a fifty square metre apartment in Madrid was an average of one thousand one hundred seventy euros in October.Spain's average gross monthly salary is about two thousand four hundred sixty euros.

Sánchez backs strikers while opposition attacks

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez praised workers for striking, writing that pensions and healthcare were collective conquests. The People's Party called the strike nonsense and accused the government of weaponising it for electoral gain.

“Your eight-hour day. Your pension. Your public healthcare… These were collective conquests.”

Young worker sees no path to home ownership

Gonzalo Álvarez, twenty-seven, volunteers for a housing union and rents a one-bedroom flat in Madrid's Arganzuela district. He and his girlfriend spend about half their salary on housing before other bills.

“You have to collect an insane amount of money to be able to buy a house. So with these salaries, it's impossible.”

Power usage shows weaker strike than 2012

Power consumption in Spain fell by seven point five percent during early Wednesday hours, according to Red Eléctrica. During the last general strike fourteen years ago, equivalent consumption was down by more than fifteen percent.

Elections on 29 November will test public mood

Spaniards are due to vote in parliamentary elections on twenty-ninth November. The scale of strike support is widely viewed as an indicator of public discontent ahead of the vote.