Spain's First General Strike in 14 Years Draws 170,000, Sparks Barcelona Clashes
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Nov 11
Spain's First General Strike in 14 Years Draws 170,000, Sparks Barcelona Clashes
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Nov 11
Summary
120,000 people marched in Madrid and more than 50,000 in Barcelona on Spain's first general strike since 2012, with clashes erupting in Barcelona as police fired tear gas and authorities made dozens of arrests.
Transport and public services were seriously disrupted, roads were blocked in Madrid and Catalonia, and industrial power demand fell 7.5% early Wednesday — a sign of broad but weaker stoppage than the more than 15% drop in the last general strike.
The strike was driven by anger over housing costs and living expenses after the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, whose case became a rallying point; a 50-square-metre Madrid flat now averages €1,170 a month against gross pay of about €2,460.
Pedro Sánchez's government backed the walkout after parliament rejected its housing reform, while the opposition People's Party called the strike political theater ahead of the 29 November election, where it leads in polls.