Housing protests descended into violence in Spain as demonstrators smashed shopfronts, torched rubbish bins and fired fireworks at police deployed in riot gear and armoured vehicles.
Tens of thousands took to the streets earlier today in the country’s first nationwide general strike in 14 years, protesting soaring rents and rapidly rising property prices.
Millions of Spanish workers joined the stoppage, closing businesses and disrupting public transport under the slogan: “Salaries. Housing. Prices.”
Most marches were peaceful, but unrest later erupted in Barcelona and Madrid. Protesters were seen breaking shop windows, while others launched fireworks towards police officers.
Small fires were lit outside shops and rubbish containers were set ablaze as crowds clashed with riot police. Officers used pepper spray in an effort to disperse demonstrators.
Police had already arrested 39 people across Spain in connection with strike-related incidents before the clashes intensified later in the day.
Public anger has escalated since the eviction of 87-year-old pensioner Maricarmen Abascal on September 23.
Abascal was removed from the Madrid apartment she had occupied for more than seven decades after reportedly being unable to meet a sharp rent increase.
Demonstrators burn rubbish containers during a protest march held as part of a nationwide general strike in Barcelona on November 11
Police charge outside an Apple Store as unrest follows a nationwide general strike protest in Barcelona
A protester kicks the entrance to a shop covered in stickers declaring it closed for the general strike
Rioting breaks out across Barcelona after a march that had initially remained largely peaceful
Protesters set off fireworks as they confront riot police during the demonstrations
Riot police confront demonstrators in Barcelona
Demonstrators strike a police vehicle with a metal fence during Barcelona’s 24-hour general strike
Millions of Spanish workers close businesses and halt public transport under the slogan “Salaries. Housing. Prices.”
Police had made 39 arrests across Spain in connection with the strike before clashes intensified in Barcelona
Police also clash with protesters in Madrid, using pepper spray against crowds in some areas
A demonstrator holds a rubbish bin during clashes with police in Madrid
Police confront protesters during Spain’s first general strike in 14 years
Onlookers watch from a shopping centre as police use pepper spray during riots in Madrid
Police arrest a man on Madrid’s Gran Vía during the national strike
Police charge outside an Apple Store as violence erupts after a nationwide strike protest in Barcelona
A demonstrator walks past burning rubbish containers as protesters clash with police
A looter carries a box of Lego from a shop after riots broke out in Barcelona
Protesters use a metal barrier in an attempt to force their way into an Apple Store in Barcelona
Fireworks explode near a line of police as riots erupt in Barcelona
Disturbing footage showed the frail grandmother being carried from the property on a stretcher in September, an episode that triggered protests nationwide and ignited a political controversy.
Abascal was taken to hospital after the court-ordered eviction. On Saturday, it was announced that she had died.
“We regret to announce that Maricarmen passed away today,” the Madrid Tenants’ Union said, describing her case as “a turning point in the history of this country”.
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Abascal was removed from the apartment on September 23 after a dispute involving a proposed 275 per cent rent increase.
Video showed riot police breaking through a barricade made from chairs, shelves and a lamp as supporters tried to stop the eviction ordered by the court.
The unrest comes as Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez calls a snap election after his government suffered a major parliamentary defeat over emergency housing legislation.
Average rents in Spain have nearly doubled over the past decade, placing growing pressure on household finances and fuelling voter frustration.
Thousands of Spaniards have taken part in demonstrations in recent weeks, demanding action to make housing more affordable. Anger intensified after Abascal’s eviction received widespread attention.
Parliament later rejected the proposed housing reforms, prompting a fresh wave of demonstrations across the country.
Referring to the defeated measures, the Madrid Tenants’ Union said: “While a historic agreement had been reached that would have allowed her to return home, that solution came too late.”
“It was an entirely avoidable situation after such a torturous process.”
Government officials estimated that 120,000 people marched in Madrid despite heavy rain. The strike culminated in rallies attended by workers and other residents in central Barcelona and Madrid, with demonstrations also held in cities across the country.
Housing activists said 400,000 people packed the streets of Barcelona. The city government put the turnout at 55,000, with demonstrators following a huge banner reading: “Live. Not Just Survive.”
Protesters are calling for automatic lease renewals to give renters greater security, alongside other protections. Unions are seeking expanded public housing and a new agreement on the minimum wage.
Carlos Ferrer, a 45-year-old customer service worker trying to travel by train from Barcelona to his home in Alicante, said major disruption was sometimes necessary to force change.
“At times, only radical measures, such as a general strike, can change the direction of policy,” he said.
“Authorities need to feel pressure from citizens before they will act.”
By evening, Madrid’s broad Paseo del Prado had become a sea of umbrellas as a large crowd gathered in steady rain.
Almudena López, 74, said her 43-year-old son still could not afford to buy a home.
Although he works in information technology, she said, he has been forced to rent a small room in a shared apartment.
“When I was young, having a university degree meant you could find a job and, by saving a little, eventually manage to buy a home. It required sacrifice, but it was possible.”
“Things are completely different today.”
Public anger intensified after 87-year-old pensioner Maricarmen Abascal was evicted from the Madrid apartment she had called home for more than 70 years following an unaffordable rent increase
The strike was organised by Spain’s two largest traditional unions but was also driven by a grassroots housing movement, largely made up of younger people who have experienced the housing crisis themselves.
“This strike is against rent seekers, property speculators and the big companies growing wealthy by selling homes — and, of course, against every level of government,” housing activist Valeria Racu told reporters in Madrid.
“We are showing that we can set our own agenda, and we will continue doing so regardless of who is in government.”
Union leaders declared the strike a success, while business groups insisted it had failed to gain significant momentum.
“The strike has surpassed the expectations of the labour unions,” said Unai Sordo, secretary-general of CCOO, one of the two organisations that called the action in a country with 22 million registered workers.
CCOO and UGT, the other major union behind the strike, reported substantial stoppages across key sectors.
According to the unions, participation reached 90 per cent in the automotive and port industries, 85 per cent in meat processing, 82 per cent in waste collection and 75 per cent in the energy sector.
The main business organisation, CEOE, disputed those figures and labelled the strike a “failure”, estimating overall participation at just 5 per cent.
Both sides agreed, however, that the walkout had a greater impact on heavy industry and transport, while participation was lower in sectors such as retail and hospitality.
Airport operator AENA said around 5 per cent of scheduled flights on Wednesday were cancelled across Spain.
