Spain Strike Draws Large Housing Protests and Clashes

Spain’s first nationwide general strike since 2012 brought demonstrations over housing affordability and living costs on November 11, with marches in Madrid and Barcelona followed by clashes between some protesters and police. The strike was called by the country’s main unions ahead of a November 29 parliamentary election.

Authorities estimated that about 120,000 people marched in Madrid and more than 50,000 in Barcelona. Those figures describe attendance at city demonstrations, not the number of workers who joined the stoppage. Tens of thousands more took part in rallies elsewhere, while public transport and some businesses were disrupted.

Police reported at least 73 arrests nationwide by 21:00 GMT, among at least 1,044 incidents linked to the strike. The incidents included road and workplace blockades and the burning of rubbish containers. Police also reported 18 arrests in Barcelona. After the city’s main march, furniture and other items were set alight; in Madrid, police used crowd-control measures including tear gas and foam bullets, according to a witness account.

The strike’s reach and effectiveness were disputed. UGT leader Pepe Álvarez described participation as massive...