Spain holds first general strike in 14 years over housing crisis
Spain saw its first general strike in 14 years, with protesters demanding action on unaffordable housing and soaring rents. Clashes with police broke out in Madrid and Barcelona in the evening, and Amnesty International voiced concern over police conduct.
A general strike took place in Spain, with hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets and life in the country largely paralysed for almost a full day. It was the first such strike since 2012, when the action was tied to the eurozone debt crisis. This time the cause is housing affordability: Spain has long faced an acute shortage of homes, and people are angry about rapidly rising rents and forced evictions.
Rents and the housing shortage
According to Spain's central bank, average rent is 1,176 euros a month, which is almost 99% of a young person's average monthly salary. The country is currently short of 750,000 homes, and the gap is expected to grow to one million by 2028. Rising prices are linked to demand from the tourism sector: many flats are let on short-term rentals, which creates scarcity and pushes prices up. This is felt most strongly on the east coast, where protest activity was highest.
In total, more than 3 million people reportedly took part in the protests despite stormy weather. Student Lluc Sala said young people see no prospects for the future and do not expect ever to own a home. Civil servant Silvia Corcobada said housing, education and healthcare matter greatly to her because she has a 20-year-old daughter.
Protesters say the action is a signal to politicians ahead of early elections in two weeks. All parties tried to turn the strike to their advantage, but demonstrators view every political force with distrust.
Clashes with police
In the evening, clashes between protesters and police began in Madrid and Barcelona. About 750,000 people took to the streets in the Spanish capital. Police used tear gas, pepper spray and batons to disperse the crowds, and video shows officers repeatedly beating lone protesters lying on the ground. Trade unions accuse police of excessive brutality.
Daniel Canales of Amnesty International in Spain pointed to blows to the head and indiscriminate use of pepper spray against a peaceful crowd. Unions call the strike a success, but the housing crisis remains unresolved.
