Major trade unions in Spain have called for a general strike on November 11 to protest against rising housing costs and rents. The move is expected to increase pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's government ahead of early legislative elections. The call for a strike came after protests over the housing crisis escalated, sparked by the eviction of an elderly woman from her home in Madrid.
The housing crisis has become a political confrontation, with Sanchez accusing the conservative People's Party and far-right Vox party of siding with real estate speculators and large investment funds. The opposition, on the other hand, blames Sanchez's government for the worsening housing crisis during its term. The crisis has led to widespread protests and demonstrations in recent weeks, with demands for housing market reform and rent controls.
According to data from the Idealista real estate website, average rents in Spain have almost doubled over the past decade, while prices of homes for sale have risen by around 90%. The housing crisis has coincided with a rise in inflation to 4.9% in September, the highest level since February 2023. The government has announced measures to alleviate living costs, including price caps on gas and fuel discounts.
The strike call comes after the parliament rejected two government decrees on automatic renewal of rental contracts and restrictions on eviction of vulnerable tenants. The rejection led Sanchez to call for early legislative elections on November 29, instead of the scheduled date in 2027. The housing crisis is set to dominate the political confrontation between the government and opposition ahead of the elections.
The general strike on November 11 is expected to disrupt daily life in Spain, with unions demanding action from the government to address the housing crisis. The strike call has been supported by various unions and social organizations, who argue that the government needs to take urgent action to address the crisis. The government has so far not commented on the strike call.
The housing crisis in Spain has led to a significant increase in homelessness and poverty, with many people struggling to pay rents and mortgages. The crisis has also led to a rise in protests and demonstrations, with demands for government action to address the issue. The general strike on November 11 is expected to be a major test of the government's resolve to address the crisis.
The early legislative elections on November 29 will be a crucial test for Sanchez's government, which has been criticized for its handling of the housing crisis. The opposition parties have made the crisis a central issue in their campaigns, demanding that the government takes urgent action to address the issue. The outcome of the elections will have significant implications for the future of Spain's housing market and the government's ability to address the crisis.
Key points
- The Spanish government faces pressure from unions and opposition parties to address the housing crisis ahead of early legislative elections.
- The housing crisis has led to a significant increase in homelessness and poverty in Spain.
- The general strike on November 11 is expected to disrupt daily life in Spain, with unions demanding action from the government to address the housing crisis.
