Spain's first general strike in 14 years sparks transport chaos ahead of election

Spain saw its first nationwide general strike in 14 years on Wednesday, with transport and public services hit by major disruptions as the country approaches a parliamentary election on 29 November, BBC News reported.

Why did the strike happen and how many people joined?

The strike was called by the main unions over affordable‑housing shortages and rising living costs, and tens of thousands marched in cities such as Madrid and Barcelona, BBC News said. Union leaders described participation as "massive" and "very significant," while the Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations called it "low and uneven" across sectors.

What impact did the strike have on transport and daily life?

Traffic on several main roads in Madrid and Catalonia’s industrial hubs was halted, and dozens of people were arrested for various incidents, according to the interior ministry cited by BBC News. Estate‑agency offices also faced attacks, and electricity demand fell 7.5% during the early hours, a smaller drop than the more than 15% seen during the last strike 14 years ago.

How are politicians responding as the election nears?

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who called snap elections after a failed housing‑reform vote, praised the strike as a defence of collective rights, while People’s Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo dismissed it as "nonsense" and accused unions of being "mafia" and "trash," BBC News noted. The PP, leading in the polls, claims the government is exploiting the strike to influence voters ahead of the 29 November ballot.