‘It’s just too expensive’: Housing and wages at the heart of Spain’s strike
Summary
Spain held its first national general strike in 14 years on November 11, 2026, as workers and demonstrators called for more affordable housing and higher wages. The dispute gained urgency after an 87-year-old woman was evicted following a fivefold rent increase, while an election is scheduled for November 29 amid political debate over housing protections.Key Facts
- The strike took place across Spain on November 11, 2026.
- Demonstrators demanded housing costs that workers can afford and higher wages.
- Maria del Carmen Abascal, 87, was evicted in September from the home where she had lived for 70 years after her monthly rent rose fivefold from 500 euros.
- Spain’s youth council estimates a young person would need to spend 98.7 percent of their monthly salary to rent a home alone.
- The Bank of Spain says Spain needs 750,000 new homes to meet current demand, potentially rising to one million.
- Spain built 92,000 homes in 2025.
- Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called a snap general election for November 29 after his minority government failed to pass proposed tenant protections.
- The article says Sanchez’s Socialist Party is trailing in polls behind combined support for right-wing and far-right parties.
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