On Strike for a Different Spain
Spain experienced its first general strike in 14 years on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, called by the major unions UGT and CC OO to protest soaring housing costs and the high cost of living. Transport and public services faced serious disruption nationwide, with demonstrations planned in around 130 cities and towns, including major protests in Madrid and Barcelona. The strike occurs less than three weeks before parliamentary elections scheduled for November 29. Union leaders claimed massive participation, while the Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations described turnout as low and uneven across sectors and regions.
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- ✓ Spain held its first general strike in 14 years on November 11, 2026, called by UGT and CC OO unions over housing costs and cost of living.
- ✓ Transport and public services across Spain faced serious disruption during the strike.
- ✓ Protests were staged in around 130 Spanish towns and cities, with the largest demonstrations expected in Madrid and Barcelona.
- ✓ Parliamentary elections are scheduled for November 29, 2026, less than three weeks after the strike.
What changed
Nationwide strike action occurred on November 11, 2026, marking the first general strike in Spain since 2012 and causing widespread transport disruption.
Live updates
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Spain's first general strike in 14 years disrupts transport over housing crisis
Spain experienced its first general strike in 14 years on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, called by the major unions UGT and CC OO to protest soaring housing costs and the high cost of living. Transport and public services faced serious disruption nationwide, with demonstrations planned in around 130 cities and towns, including major protests in Madrid and Barcelona. The strike occurs less than three weeks before parliamentary elections scheduled for November 29. Union leaders claimed massive participation, while the Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations described turnout as low and uneven across sectors and regions.
Why it matters
Housing affordability has become a flashpoint in Spanish politics, with protesters citing extreme rents for substandard accommodation. The action marks the first general strike since 2012 and reflects broader European labor unrest, though analysts note current demands focus on material living costs rather than the political system changes seen in 1968. The government's response and the strike's electoral impact remain key questions ahead of the November 29 vote.
What is confirmed
- Spain held its first general strike in 14 years on November 11, 2026, called by UGT and CC OO unions over housing costs and cost of living.
- Transport and public services across Spain faced serious disruption during the strike.
- Protests were staged in around 130 Spanish towns and cities, with the largest demonstrations expected in Madrid and Barcelona.
- Parliamentary elections are scheduled for November 29, 2026, less than three weeks after the strike.
- UGT leader Pepe Alvarez described strike participation as massive, while CC OO leader Unai Sordo called turnout very significant.
- The Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations characterised participation as low and uneven depending on areas and sectors.
Still unconfirmed
- The strike represents a 1968-style protest wave across Europe with fundamentally different demands focused on material costs rather than political change.
What to watch next
- Government policy response to housing crisis demands before November 29 election
- Electoral impact of strike on polling for parliamentary elections
- Potential for follow-up labor actions if housing measures are not announced
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (21)
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