Unions said around 4 million Spanish workers joined a Spain general strike on Wednesday to protest housing costs and low wages, with clashes later in Madrid and Barcelona. Unions said the figure amounted to roughly one-fifth of the total workforce, according to France 24.
The strike was the first general strike since 2012, when workers struck against austerity measures during the euro zone debt crisis, according to France 24. The 24-hour action began at midnight under the slogan ‘Wages, housing and prices’ and was backed by CCOO, UGT, CGT, CNT and other organisations, according to Euronews.
France 24 reported that the day was mostly peaceful. Later, according to Al Jazeera, groups of hooded and masked demonstrators hurled projectiles at police and sparked fires in Madrid and Barcelona. Police used rubber bullets and tear gas, Al Jazeera reported.
Police reported at least 73 arrests nationwide by 21:00 GMT, from at least 1,044 incidents linked to the strike, including blockades and burning rubbish containers, according to Al Jazeera. Those figures are not final, as no totals after 21:00 GMT are available.
The unions reported at least eight people injured when police charged a picket outside Madrid’s bus depots early on Wednesday, according to Euronews. The government and police have not responded to that claim. Only Euronews reports the eight injuries and a separate claim that police obstructed a picket at Mercamadrid, and police have not confirmed either account.
The outcome of the strike is disputed. Unions described it as a success, while employers called it a failure, citing a 25.6% drop in industrial electricity demand, according to Euronews. Unions said participation reached 90% in ports and the car industry. The source of the electricity figure is not named, and employers have not given a fuller account of why they consider the strike a failure.
Crowd sizes also differ by source. In Madrid, the Tenants’ Union (Sindicato de Inquilinas) put attendance at more than half a million people, while the central government’s office in Madrid counted 120,000, according to Euronews. Al Jazeera cites authorities estimating about 120,000 marchers in the capital. In Barcelona, organisers said 400,000 people took part, while city police counted 55,000, according to Euronews. Al Jazeera cites authorities saying more than 50,000 rallied in Barcelona.
The incident count also varies. Al Jazeera reports at least 1,044 incidents by 21:00 GMT, while Euronews reports police recorded 1,500 incidents nationwide, without giving a time or explaining the figure.
Rents in Spain have risen by around 80% over the past decade while wages have failed to keep pace, according to Euronews. The protests targeted national, regional and local authorities of all political colours, which organisers accuse of failing to take effective action, Euronews reported.
The strike comes just weeks before an early general election, according to Al Jazeera. Euronews reports that Partido Popular leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo warned the unions may have made a ‘historic mistake’. UGT’s Pepe Álvarez said whoever governs ‘will have to listen to the people’, Euronews reported.
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This article was written with AI assistance from the published reporting listed above. It is part of the World Brief daily news podcast.