Spain braces for nationwide strike as anger over housing, costs boils over
Summary
Spain’s two largest unions called a 24-hour nationwide strike over wages, housing costs and prices, with disruptions expected across transport, schools, health care and other public services. The action comes amid a housing shortage and rising rents, and ahead of snap elections scheduled for November 29.Key Facts
- The Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) and Union General de Trabajadores (UGT) called the strike, which is due to begin at midnight on Wednesday.
- The unions last called a general strike together in 2012, during Spain’s austerity crisis.
- Flights may be delayed or canceled, and public transport in major cities is expected to run at reduced capacity.
- Essential services will maintain minimum staffing, while schools, hospitals, shops and other services may close or operate with fewer staff.
- Protests intensified after 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal was evicted from her Madrid home in September following a rent increase; she has since died.
- The Bank of Spain estimates the country has 750,000 fewer homes than it needs, with the shortfall potentially exceeding one million by 2028.
- The Spanish Youth Council reports average monthly rent of 1,176 euros and an average salary of 1,190 euros for young people.
- Spain’s snap election is scheduled for November 29, and the housing crisis has become a central political issue.
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