4 million protesters: Housing crisis pushes Spain to first general strike in 14 years

Around 4 million workers in Spain participated on Wednesday in a general strike protesting the housing crisis and rising cost of living, defying stormy weather conditions, less than three weeks before early general elections.

The move represents the first general strike seen in Spain since 2012, when workers protested austerity measures during the Eurozone debt crisis. The strike is supported by the country's two largest unions, (UGT - General Union of Workers) and (CCOO - Workers' Commissions), which represent more than one million workers, along with tenant associations opposing rising rents and evictions.

The two unions stated that participation rates varied across regions, with the highest levels recorded in coastal areas particularly suffering from the housing crisis.

On "Gran Via," one of Madrid's main shopping streets, demonstrators chanted as stores, including "Primark," "H&M," and "Pull&Bear," closed their doors, amid a heavy presence of riot police.

In Barcelona, many shops closed their doors and placed wooden boards on their facades in anticipation of disturbances.

Deficit exceeds 750,000 housing units
Data from the Bank of Spain indicates a supply deficit of approximately 750,000 housing units, with forecasts suggesting it will exceed one million units by 2028.

As many people lose the ability to buy homes, rents have risen sharply. According to the Spanish Youth Council, the average rent is €1,176, equivalent to about 98.7% of the average monthly salary for young people in the country.

The Tenant Union said it expects the number of strike participants to rise to 5 million by the end of Wednesday, out of approximately 23 million workers in Spain, according to data from the National Statistics Institute.

UGT and CCOO reported a 90% participation rate in ports and the automotive sector, noting a "complete halt" in factories, including the "Volkswagen" plant in Navarre and the "SEAT" plant in Barcelona.

"Red Eléctrica," the operator of the Spanish electricity grid, stated that electricity demand fell by up to 15.5% between 10 and 11 a.m.

Early elections pressure Sánchez
The strike comes ahead of early general elections scheduled for November 29, at a time when Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez seeks to place the housing crisis at the forefront of the electoral campaign, while his Socialist party faces political pressures related to corruption issues involving close associates, in addition to the repercussions of a train accident that occurred last month.

The Socialist party remains behind in opinion polls, according to "Reuters."

The strike also followed weeks of protests and sit-ins that erupted after an 87-year-old woman was evicted from her home in Madrid and subsequently died.

The political crisis worsened after Parliament rejected government decrees last month aimed at limiting evictions and alleviating rental pressures, prompting Sánchez to call for early elections.

Conversely, two strong storms named "Charles" and "Bruna" threatened plans to organize large afternoon marches, forcing unions to suspend a demonstration in the southern coastal city of Cadiz.