Spain’s first general strike in 14 years over housing crisis ahead of November 29 election

Consensus Summary

Spain experienced its first general strike in 14 years on November 11, 2026, as millions of workers walked out to protest soaring housing costs and evictions ahead of a snap election on November 29. The strike, organized by unions UGT and CCOO alongside tenants’ associations, saw widespread participation, particularly in sectors like automotive and ports, where unions reported 90% involvement. Police responded with arrests—40 by midday according to ABC, though the Guardian cited 27—and injuries, including 20 protesters hurt during clashes. The strike’s timing coincides with a political shift, as Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez seeks to redirect voter focus from corruption scandals and a deadly train crash to housing issues, though polls still favor right-wing opposition parties.

The strike’s roots trace back to the eviction and death of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid, an event that ignited public outrage and forced Sánchez to call the election after parliament blocked his eviction and rent-control measures. ABC notes the woman’s eviction occurred last month, while 7NEWS and the Guardian place it in October or September, respectively, with her identified as Maricarmen Abascal. The housing crisis has worsened, with rents consuming nearly all of young Spaniards’ salaries and a projected housing deficit of over 1 million units by 2028, according to ABC. The Guardian highlights how speculative housing and short-term rentals have exacerbated the crisis, with rents up 80% over a decade.

Key figures framed the strike differently: Sánchez used it to emphasize labor achievements like the eight-hour workday, while right-wing leaders like Isabel Díaz Ayuso condemned it as disruptive, accusing unions of aiding his re-election. The Guardian reports Díaz Ayuso faced backlash for allegedly spending €6.3m on a penthouse office, adding to her criticism of the strike. Unions, including the Workers’ Commissions, demanded systemic changes, such as rent freezes and eviction protections, while tenants’ unions in Granada vandalized 300 short-term rental lockboxes to protest tourist-driven housing shortages. ABC’s coverage emphasized the strike’s economic impact, with electricity demand dropping 15.5% and GDP potentially shrinking by 0.1-0.2%.

While all sources agree on the strike’s scale and housing crisis as its catalyst, details diverge on participation numbers, arrest counts, and the eviction’s timing. ABC’s focus on economic data and police incidents contrasts with the Guardian’s political framing, including Sánchez’s video message and Díaz Ayuso’s penthouse controversy. 7NEWS highlights sector-specific participation rates, such as 85% in the meat industry, which other outlets omit. The Guardian’s mention of vandalized lockboxes and the strike’s slogan—‘Salaries. Housing. Prices’—adds depth to the protest’s demands, absent in ABC’s report. Despite these differences, all agree the strike reflects deep public frustration with unaffordable housing and political gridlock ahead of the election.

Uncertainties remain over the election’s outcome, with polls favoring a right-wing coalition but Sánchez leveraging the strike to shift the narrative. The Guardian notes the far right’s potential rise, while ABC underscores the government’s struggle to address housing amid corruption scandals. Whether the strike will sway voters or force policy changes remains unclear, though unions vow to maintain pressure. The next steps hinge on election results and the government’s response to housing demands, with protests likely to continue if reforms stall.