Madrid:Four million Spanish workers staged a nationwide strike, marking the first such event in 14 years, to protest against the ongoing housing crisis and the soaring cost of living. Major demonstrations unfolded in cities including Madrid, Barcelona, and Bilbao.
According to Thai News Agency, despite facing adverse weather conditions with heavy rain, a substantial number of Spaniards took to the streets, causing disruptions in cities like Madrid and Barcelona. Businesses had preemptively boarded up windows, and traffic along with public services faced interruptions. As the day progressed, the protests escalated into violence with masked individuals setting fires to trash cans, launching flares at police, and looting shops. Police employed tear gas to disperse the crowds, leading to numerous arrests.
Public dissatisfaction surged following the eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her Madrid home of 70 years, who subsequently died in the hospital weeks later. This incident was exacerbated by the government's recent rejection of a housing reform bill proposed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, prompting the dissolution of parliament and the announcement of a snap election. While Sánchez has expressed support for the right to strike, conservative opponents have criticized trade unions, labeling them as a "mafia." The government is perceived as leveraging housing discontent to divert attention from corruption scandals and a significant train accident, aiming to sway votes in the upcoming election.
The Spanish Youth Council has highlighted that housing rent consumes 98.7% of the average salary for young Spaniards. Concurrently, the Spanish central bank has reported a housing shortfall of approximately 750,000 units, a figure projected to surpass 1 million in two years.
Similar protests over living costs have surfaced in other European nations. In Athens, Greece, demonstrators have also taken a stand against escalating living expenses and housing costs, which hinder independence for young people and students. Despite multiple increases in the minimum wage, public sentiment suggests these measures fall short of addressing the rapidly rising cost of living. Protesters in Athens have voiced their solidarity with the Spanish workers.