Another European nation has joined the wave of unrest circulating around the continent, with flames erupting on Spanish streets in the country’s first general strike in 14 years.
The strike, which is backed by the country’s largest unions, tenants associations, and youth groups, saw millions take to the streets in protest over Spain’s dire housing market.
Protesters on the burning streets of Barcelona. David Ramos/Getty
A general strike saw huge demonstrations across the country. Emilio Morenatti/AP
The country has an estimated 750,000-house deficit, and it’s become a key issue ahead of the general election called for November 29.
Progressive Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is seeking re-election but his Socialist party is trailing in the polls.
A right-wing alliance between the main opposition People’s Party and the far-right opposition Vox is a possible alternative for voters, as right-wing candidates experience similar surges to elsewhere in Europe.
The death of 87-year-old Maria del Carmen Abascal, who was evicted from a home in Madrid where she had lived for more than 70 years, sparked an earlier wave of protests and rallies across the country.
The private company which owned her building hiked her rent by more than 500 per cent per instalment, from €500 ($810.40) to €2650 ($4295.11) and had her evicted on a stretcher in the face of mass protests when she could not afford the increase.
The Madrid Tenants Union said she was taken to hospital, where she died in the first week of October.
“Although a historic agreement was reached that would have allowed her to return to her home, this solution came too late,” the union said.
Police used pepper spray on demonstrators. Francisco Seco/AP
Fireworks explode among a line of policemen in Barcelona. Emilio Morenatti/AP
Now, the union has also been vocal during the general strike, saying the mass protests show the Spanish people have had enough.
“Citizens are demanding a new housing model, not stopgap measures, but real policies that guarantee the right to housing. A new cycle of struggles is beginning,” the union wrote in a post on X.
It also slammed police for detaining hundreds of women protesters, alleging they were doing so illegally.
Massive crowds march through central Madrid. Francisco Seco/AP
Protesters try to force their way into an Apple Store. Emilio Morenatti/AP
Another strike organiser, major trade union UGT, said the protests “made history”.
“Cities across the country have mobilised for decent housing, quality public services, fair wages and workers’ rights,” said a post from the union on X.
“A general strike so that they listen to the working class.”
But violence and destruction also took place alongside street-filling rallies.
Images from the streets of cities like Barcelona and Madrid showed fires leaping up, stores being broken into, and looters stealing anything from Lego to mannequins.
Police resorted to pepper spray in clashes with protesters.