Spain housing protests turn violent as police fire tear gas, rubber bullets in Madrid and Barcelona

Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets as clashes broke out in Madrid and Barcelona on Wednesday following largescale protests across Spain over rising housing costs and declining purchasing power The demonstrations coincided with the countrys first nationwide 24hour general strike since 2012 weeks before an early general election scheduled for November 29Authorities estimated that around 120000 people marched in Madrid while more than 50000 gathered in Barcelona Thousands of others participated in demonstrations across the country demanding affordable housing and action against rising rentsThe protests were followed by clashes involving groups of hooded and masked demonstrators who allegedly threw projectiles at police and set fire to objects on the streets according to AFP journalistsPolice use tear gas as clashes erupt in Madrid BarcelonaIn Barcelona video footage showed rubbish containers bicycles and potted plants burning on roads as police vehicles moved through the affected areasPolice used tear gas and rubber bullet launchers to disperse groups of protesters and arrested 18 people in the cityThe demonstrations followed weeks of growing public anger over housing affordability with protesters accusing authorities of failing to address rising rents and difficulties in purchasing homesThe latest wave of protests was also linked to the eviction of an 87yearold woman from her Madrid home in SeptemberProtesters demand affordable housingDespite heavy rainfall thousands of demonstrators gathered in Madrid carrying placards shaped like houses and chanting slogans such as we have no homePeople work a lot and it isnt enough to pay the rent to pay for a house Paula Diaz a 25yearold theatre technician who lives with her parents told AFPI hope a government that benefits us comes to power especially the working class she added referring to the November 29 electionIn Barcelona authorities estimated that around 55000 people marched along Passeig de Gracia a major commercial thoroughfare known for its luxury storesMaria Pinana who participated in the demonstration said housing should not be treated like an ordinary commodityThe law of supply and demand does not apply to housing she told AFPThe price of rents should be regulated said the 34yearold microbiologist who shares a flat with friends where parts of the ceiling have collapsedNationwide strike disrupts transport and workplacesThe main trade unions UGT and CCOO called the 24hour strike over housing affordability and purchasing power Demonstrators and workers also blocked roads in Madrid and other parts of the country while picketing took place at several workplacesPublic transport services were disrupted particularly around Barcelona despite minimum service requirements being imposed for commuter trains metro services and busesMadrids metro reported that 93 per centof its trains operated during the early morning hours although passenger numbers were around half their usual levelUGT leader Pepe Alvarez described participation in the strike as massive and said some regions had witnessed a complete stoppage He called the action a major successHowever the union acknowledged that participation varied across sectors and regions with stronger mobilisation in automobile manufacturing petrochemicals meat processing and coastal areasBusiness groups dispute strikes impactThe CEOE which represents Spanish business leaders described the strike as a failure arguing that economic activity continued normally across most sectorsThe organisation also said electricity demand had fallen by around 5 per cent significantly less than during previous strikesThe contrasting assessments highlighted disagreements over the scale and impact of the nationwide industrial actionHousing crisis becomes key election issueThe demonstrations have added to political pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sanchezs government ahead of the November 29 general electionSanchez called the early election after his minority government failed to secure parliamentary approval for a package of housing measures proposed in response to public protests The election was originally scheduled for 2027Housing affordability has emerged as a major issue for voters with tenants and housing campaigners demanding stronger regulation of rents and greater access to affordable homesValeria Racu spokesperson for the Madrid Tenants Union which has been at the forefront of the protests said the movement wanted to challenge the treatment of housing as a businessA new cycle is beginning with trade unionism and conflict at its centre This day of strikes has been a resounding success she saidIsabel Iglesias a 27yearold nurse living in Madrid said housing costs were among her biggest financial concerns She pays 1000 euros in monthly rent with her partner despite earning 1700 euros a monthIglesias said Sanchez could have done much more to address the housing crisis and urged the next government to listen to everyone and get their act togetherWith inputs from AFP