image copyrightEPA
Transport and other public services across Spain suffered serious disruptions this Wednesday due to the first general strike in 14 years, called by the main unions to protest the housing situation and the high cost of living.
The general secretary of the UGT union, Pepe Álvarez, said that the strike was a success, highlighting a "massive" participation, while Unai Sordo, leader of the CC.OO. union, noted that the follow-up was "very significant."
For its part, the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE) stated that participation was "low and unequal", varying according to the areas and sectors affected.
In addition to the work stoppage, Spaniards were called to demonstrate in the different cities of the country.
image copyrightGetty Images
image source, Reuters
The Spanish Ministry of the Interior reported the arrest of dozens of people in various incidents that occurred throughout the country.
According to local information, several real estate agencies suffered attacks in their offices.
The idea of calling this general strike arose as a result of widespread protests against the increase in the cost of living and to demand access to affordable housing, following the eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, 87, from an apartment in Madrid where she lived for seven decades. Maricarmen died in the hospital weeks later.
image copyrightJUAN GONZALEZ/EPA/Shutterstock
The president of the government, the socialist Pedro Sánchez, called early elections last month after Congress failed to approve his housing reform plan.
End of Most read
Spaniards are called to the polls for the parliamentary elections on November 29.
Since 2012, under the conservative government of Mariano Rajoy, there have been no general strikes in Spain.
And, although previous strikes were a problem for the government in power, this one is different: Sánchez and his ministers have gone so far as to encourage workers to support the strike and demand affordable housing.
Discover more
Video
End of Video
