Spain's major unions call for a national general strike on housing

Spain's two largest labor unions, UGT and CCOO, have announced a nationwide general strike scheduled for November 11, 2026. This action, which comes only weeks before the country’s snap parliamentary elections, aims to protest the ongoing housing crisis, characterized by soaring rents and frequent evictions. This event marks the first joint general strike organized by these two major unions in 14 years, highlighting the severity of the social unrest currently gripping the nation.

The mobilization follows a series of protests triggered by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid, which led activists to occupy a central square in the capital. Tensions were further exacerbated when the Spanish parliament rejected several decrees last week that intended to curb evictions and lower rental costs. These legislative failures have turned housing into the central theme of the upcoming electoral campaign.

While the date has been set, the final decision awaits formal ratification by other affiliated unions. The strike serves as a direct challenge to the current administration's handling of the crisis, following the government's inability to pass emergency housing measures. Public pressure remains high as citizens demand immediate solutions to the lack of affordable housing.