Spain has experienced its first general strike in 14 years, paralyzing the country's life for almost 24 hours. The previous action of this scale took place in 2012 and was linked to the eurozone debt crisis. This time, the main triggers were housing affordability, soaring rental prices, and forced evictions. According to the Bank of Spain, the average rental cost is 1,176 euros per month—nearly 99% of a young worker's average monthly salary. The country lacks 750,000 residential real estate units, and the deficit is projected to grow to a million by 2028. The tourism sector plays a significant role in the price hike, as many apartments are rented out for short-term stays, creating a shortage and driving prices up, especially on the eastern coast where protest activity was highest.
Scale of the Action and Participant Estimates
Despite stormy weather, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets. According to the primary source, more than 3 million people participated in actions across the country, with about 750,000 in Madrid. At the same time, other publications assess the scale differently: according to several media reports, between 70,000 and 500,000 people participated in protests in Madrid and Valencia, and the total number of marches was around 50. The exact number of participants remains a subject of discrepancy, but the very fact of a massive turnout is confirmed by all sides. Participants noted that the strike was supported by a huge number of workers, including the automotive industry, and that the city was virtually completely paralyzed.
Voices of the Protesters: "It's Unattainable"
Student Lluc Sala explained his participation in the action by stating that "we see no prospects in the future" and have no hope of ever owning a home, because on working-class wages it is "simply unattainable." Public servant Silvia Corcobada, who has a 20-year-old daughter, emphasized that what is happening with housing, education, and healthcare is of immense importance, and without serious changes, her daughter "will not be able to gain access" to these areas during her lifetime. Madrid teacher Olga Domingo added that authorities continue to cut spending, and the ratio of the cost of living to wages is "disproportionate." Protesters also call the strike a signal to politicians ahead of early elections, which they say will take place in two weeks; meanwhile, all political forces trying to "turn" the action to their advantage are met with distrust.
Clashes with Police and Human Rights Reaction
By evening, clashes between protesters and police began in Madrid and Barcelona. Rally participant Nerea Cañas said that at Spain Square, police began to surround the crowd, and when people tried to leave the square, law enforcement officers "charged at everyone indiscriminately." Mathematics teacher Luis reported that he was pepper-sprayed in the face from a distance of 10–20 centimeters three times. Protester Carlos stated that police fired rubber bullets, used tear gas, and beat people. According to media reports, videos captured instances of lone protesters lying on the ground being beaten. Trade unions accused law enforcement of excessive brutality, and Amnesty International expressed concern, noting documented cases of beatings of civilians, including targeted baton strikes to the head—a vulnerable body part where blows carry a high risk of severe injury.
Political Context and Prospects
The strike comes against the backdrop of the failure of a government initiative on emergency response measures to the housing crisis, which parliament failed to support. The Madrid Tenants Union had previously stated that even those proposals were insufficient. The protesters' demands boil down to lowering rents, stopping forced evictions, and banning investment funds from buying up housing. Amid upcoming early elections and discrepancies in estimates of the scale of the action, the situation remains tense: society demands systemic changes, and political forces have yet to offer a coordinated response to the housing crisis.
