Protest actions took place in several major cities across the country, including Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Cordoba, Malaga, and Zaragoza. According to union estimates, the number of participants on the streets reached 4 million people.
Protesters' demands and consequences
The main drivers of the mass demonstrations were demands to ensure affordable housing for citizens and to increase wage levels. The actions were accompanied by serious public order disturbances: protesters blocked roads, set fire to trash containers and tires, and damaged shop windows. In response to the unrest, police deployed tear gas.
Scale of the strike
The events are unfolding during a politically tense period: early parliamentary elections in Spain are scheduled for November 29, with the official election campaign starting two days after the protests.
Context
Mass public outcry was triggered by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her rented home, which became a symbol of the housing crisis. Although the woman was allowed to return to the apartment under the previous terms, she passed away. Against the backdrop of these events and the failure of government measures, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced early elections.
