Millions of workers strike across Spain as citizens protest soaring housing costs

Detailed summary

Millions of Spanish workers shut down businesses and public transportation across the eurozone's fourth largest economy on Wednesday before thousands took to the streets of major…

Millions of Spanish workers shut down businesses and public transportation across the eurozone's fourth largest economy on Wednesday before thousands took to the streets of major cities in a nationwide protest over soaring rents and real estate prices.

Housing activists hope the massive show of force will lead to more regulations to protect tenants and crack down on real estate speculation, while Spain's left-wing government is seeking to mobilize voters ahead of a national election later this month with polls against it.

The walkout — under the slogan "Salaries. Housing. Prices." — was the first general strike in Spain in 14 years, and the first whose principal push was born from unrest over housing.

The strike culminated in workers and average citizens gathering in downtown Barcelona and Madrid, along with protests in other cities. Housing activists said 400,000 marchers filled Barcelona, while the city government said 55,000 turned out to walk behind a huge banner that read "Live. Not Just Survive."

Spanish government officials estimated 120,000 people turned out in Madrid despite pouring rain.

After the peaceful march in Barcelona, some protesters started to smash storefronts of brand-name stores on Paseo de Gracia, a main shopping boulevard. They set off small bonfires in front of stores, burned dumpsters and launched fireworks at police who arrived in riot gear and armoured vans.

During the day, Barcelona's metro and public buses stopped running outside rush hour. Street traffic was light. Many smaller establishments like coffee shops, however, did open.

Carlos Ferrer, a 45-year-old customer service worker who was trying to get back home to Alicante by train from Barcelona, said that sometimes only "radical measures, such as a general strike" can force a change of course.

"Authorities need to feel pressure from the citizens so they can do something," he said.

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