MADRID — Spain’s major trade unions launched a nationwide general strike on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, bringing major cities to a standstill over soaring housing costs, demands for living wages, and calls for urgent rail safety infrastructure improvements.
Midnight demonstrations and picket lines formed across major urban centers, including Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Seville, and Zaragoza, in the country’s first national general strike since 2012.
Key Grievances and Core Demands
Spain Nationwide General Strike Overview
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| CORE ISSUES: Housing affordability, rental caps, and living wages |
| TRANSPORT IMPACT: Train drivers striking over rail maintenance & safety |
| MAIN CITIES: Picket lines active in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia & Seville|
| POLITICAL CONTEXT: Precedes Spain's snap general election on November 29 |
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- Housing Affordability: Prompted by weeks of mass protests over tenant evictions and surging property costs, unions are demanding permanent public housing stock, strict rental price limits, and the enforcement of national housing laws.
- Rail Infrastructure and Safety: Simultaneous walkouts by train drivers followed Spain’s second major fatal train crash of the year, demanding increased capital investment in track maintenance, stricter severe-weather operating rules, and enhanced automated safety protections.
Disruptions and Political Impact
The 24-hour industrial action has severely impacted public transportation networks, commercial services, and public sector operations, operating under mandated minimum service levels.
The strike arrives weeks ahead of Spain’s snap general election called for November 29, intensifying political debate over living standards, inflation, and government housing policy.
General strike Picture on Wiki by Wongan4614
