Workers across Spain gathered en masse on Wednesday, marching and picketing despite stormy weather in many areas of the country. This is the first general strike in Spain in 14 years, amid a worsening cost of living and a homelessness crisis that has left many unable to support themselves. Symbolized by the eviction and death of Maricarmen Abascal, 87, in Madrid earlier this year, the crisis has also led to early elections set for November 29. Lacking the power to get the legislation passed, Sánchez called an early vote in hopes of gaining more support. “We will not stop until we transform the housing model of this country from top to bottom so that houses are for living and not at the service of citizens.” [landlord] minority,” said Alicia del Río, spokesperson for the Madrid Tenants Union. While most of the protests appeared to be peaceful, strikers outside the Mercamadrid wholesale market in Madrid said police had used pepper spray on the crowd, prompting at least 13 people to seek medical attention. Some airlines later reported disruptions to flights in and out of Spain as some airport and airline workers participated in the strike. How serious is Madrid’s housing crisis? Spain? The country has a deficit of approximately 750,000 homes, which the central bank estimates will increase to more than one million in 2028. With fewer and fewer people and families able to buy a home, the number of renters in the country has increased considerably. According to the youth council of Spain, the average rent is 1,176 euros ($1,315), which is equivalent to 99% of the average salary of a young person. making decrepit infrastructure also a major issue in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The train accident in Spain increases pressure on the government ahead of the vote. To view this video, please enable JavaScript and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video. How have political leaders reacted to the strike, saying it is being carried out “for rights” and not against anyone? of “a strike against the opposition,” is “an absurdity such as does not exist in any other country in the European Union.” Although the UGT union, one of the organizers of the strike, and Sánchez’s socialist party PSOE, are two separate institutions, they share a historical founder: Pablo Iglesias Posse. The strike, supported by the incumbent government, many in Spain believe that Nicole Ras, reporting for DW in Madrid, has been following the strike. The strike will take place on Wednesday and this is what she has to say: Here in Madrid. Madrid, apparently a lot of people are still going to work and people I know have clearly said that they will not go on strike because they don’t see much point in it (although everyone is suffering from the cost of living and housing crisis). There is also a debate about whether this strike is an “electoral strike” that could benefit the current Government. The Government supports the strike, stating that it is being carried out “in favor of the rights” and not against anyone. Sources close to Sánchez have even said that it is “against the opposition”, according to the media here.
