Violent Clashes Erupt in Barcelona After Spain’s First General Strike in 14 Years

Spain witnessed a massive nationwide general strike as millions of workers shut down businesses and disrupted public transport to protest soaring rents, property prices and the growing housing crisis. Thousands took to the streets of Barcelona, Madrid and other major cities under the slogan ‘Salaries. Housing. Prices.’

The walkout marked Spain’s first general strike in 14 years and the first driven primarily by housing-related unrest. In Barcelona, housing activists claimed nearly 400,000 people joined the march, while city authorities put the turnout at 55,000. Protesters marched behind a powerful banner reading ‘Live. Not Just Survive’, demanding affordable housing and stronger tenant protections.