Shops set on fire, businesses shut as Spain witnesses first general strike in 14 years

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Businesses and public transportation were disrupted as workers joined the nationwide action to protest soaring rents and property prices across Spain. | World News

Hundreds of thousands of protesters marched across Spain on Wednesday over the country's housing affordability and purchasing power, just weeks before an early general election.

Businesses and public transportation were disrupted as workers joined the nationwide action, with thousands taking to the streets in major cities to protest soaring rents and property prices across the eurozone's fourth-largest economy.

The strike, held under the slogan “Salaries. Housing. Prices.”, was Spain's first nationwide general demonstration in 14 years and the first to be driven primarily by discontent over housing.

The walkout is backed by Spain's two largest unions, the General Union of Workers (UGT) and the Workers' Commissions (CCOO), representing more than a million workers, as well as tenants' associations angry about rising rents and evictions, Reuters reported.

Over 4,00,000 marchers gathered in Barcelona, according to housing activists. Meanwhile, the city government said 55,000 turned out to walk behind a huge banner that said “Live. Not Just Survive,” according to the Associated Press.

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

Reuters footage showed furniture set alight in the streets after the main march had ended. Tensions also escalated in Madrid, where riot police fired foam bullets and used tear gas and pepper spray to disperse protesters near the central Plaza de España, a Reuters witness said.

Police reported at least 73 arrests nationwide by 21:00 GMT, following at least 1,044 incidents linked to the general strike. These included office and industrial estate blockades, as well as the burning of rubbish containers.

On Madrid's Gran Via, one of the capital's main shopping streets, protesters cheered as stores including Primark, H&M and Pull&Bear pulled down their shutters amid a heavy police presence.

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