Wire reporting: (Reuters, via The Japan Times), (AP, via Stuff)

Spain’s main unions staged the country’s first 24-hour general strike since 2012 on Wednesday, Nov. 11, over housing costs and living standards, with large marches in Madrid, Barcelona and other cities less than three weeks before a snap parliamentary election on Nov. 29^1,5,9.

UGT leader Pepe Álvarez and CCOO’s Unai Sordo called participation massive or very significant, while the Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations said it was low and uneven^1,10. Unions put the walkout at about four million workers, roughly one-fifth of the workforce^2,3,5.

Daytime protests were largely peaceful^5,9. After about 7:30 p.m., masked groups in Barcelona threw stones, bottles and fireworks at police near Passeig de Gràcia and Plaça de Catalunya, set rubbish bins alight and smashed shop windows, Euronews and Africanews reported^2,3,4. Catalonia’s Mossos d’Esquadra used crowd-control projectiles and baton charges as unrest spread toward Las Ramblas^2,3.

Municipal police estimated more than 55,000 people in the Barcelona march; organisers said about 400,000^2,3. Eighteen people were arrested in the unrest, 20 for the day in the city^2,3. Catalan President Salvador Illa said the violence did not reflect the peaceful protest^2,3.

The Japan Times and a Reuters-fed Korea Herald account said clashes also occurred in Madrid, where riot police used foam bullets, tear gas and pepper spray around Plaza de España^5,19. Police reported at least 73 arrests nationwide by 9 p.m. from more than 1,000 incidents, according to that account¹⁹. BBC said the interior ministry reported dozens of arrests and that estate agencies were attacked¹. DW said police used pepper spray at Madrid’s Mercamadrid market and at least 13 people sought medical care⁹.

Transport was disrupted. Public rail operator Renfe cancelled 24 percent of high-speed services and about 20 percent of Madrid and Barcelona commuter trains, The Local Spain reported, citing AFP¹⁰. Barcelona’s metro and buses stopped after morning minimum service; some airlines reported disruption^9,10. Power demand fell 7.5 percent early Wednesday, BBC said, versus more than 15 percent in 2012; CEOE put the drop near 5 percent^1,10.

Unions reported very high stoppages at ports and auto plants, including Volkswagen in Navarre and SEAT in Barcelona¹³. Spain’s central bank estimates a shortage of about 750,000 homes, expected to exceed one million by 2028^9,13. Idealista put the average rent for a 50-square-meter Madrid apartment at €1,170 in October against an average gross monthly salary of about €2,460¹. Spain’s youth council put average rent at €1,176, near a typical young worker’s full salary^9,13.

The walkout followed the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from a Madrid flat and her death weeks later^1,9. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the Nov. 29 election after parliament blocked housing legislation; BBC said he encouraged workers to strike^1,9. Conservative People’s Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo called the strike “nonsense”; Sánchez told Spanish TV that questioning the right to strike was nonsense¹. CEOE vice-president Miguel Garrido said the action was political rather than labour-related¹.

Voters go to the polls on Nov. 29. Several outlets said Sánchez’s Socialists still trail in polls^13,16. What remains unknown is the final verified turnout, a full national arrest and injury tally, and whether evening violence will shift campaigning on housing^1,2,19.