Protests for Affordable Housing Hit All of Spain

12.11.2026 17:01 HotInfo

More than three million people took to the streets in Spain on Wednesday to protest high housing costs. The nationwide general strike, held several weeks before early parliamentary elections, paralyzed part of transportation, ports, car factories and other workplaces. Police detained at least 115 people. Independent ↗

In Madrid, an estimated 120,000 people took part in the protest march. Demonstrators demanded more affordable housing, higher wages and better public services. Protests also took place in other major cities despite the rain. Organizers and participants highlighted rising costs and young people's concerns about unaffordable housing and an uncertain future life. Index.hu ↗

During some gatherings, clashes occurred between demonstrators and police. Some members of the government expressed doubts about the appropriateness of certain police interventions. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska announced an investigation and stated that he had seen footage he did not like. Trade unions also announced legal action. El Mundo ↗

The opposition People's Party called the strike political and part of the campaign ahead of the November 29 elections. Madrid's regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso criticized the government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, claiming that his policies had damaged the credibility of both the protests and the unions. Left-wing parties, on the other hand, are demanding the interior minister's dismissal. Further developments will depend on the results of the investigation into the police interventions and on whether the government adopts housing measures. El Mundo ↗