(Nov 11): A national strike is expected to cause widespread disruption across Spain on Wednesday (Nov 11), as unions demand for more affordable housing.

The strike was called by the country’s two main union umbrella groups after two government-sponsored housing bills were rejected in Parliament in early October. The protest has broad support from administration officials, including Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz, a member of the junior coalition partner who has strong ties to unions.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who faces an election on Nov 29, has had a strong relationship with unions since he came to power in 2018. Wednesday’s strike is widely seen as politically motivated and aimed at the right-wing parties that are expected to win the Nov 29 ballot. It is unclear how much support it will have from workers.

Sánchez called the snap election after his bills were rejected, betting that he could present himself as a defender of social rights seeking to solve the housing crisis, which has seen prices surge under his watch.

A separate protest by train drivers on Tuesday caused disruptions for commuters in Madrid and other major cities as strikers failed to comply with mandatory minimum services. Train drivers have been demanding better safety conditions for months, and tensions have intensified after a recent high-speed train accident killed 69.

On Wednesday, strikers formed pickets outside bus stations across the country. Police charged against protesters at Madrid’s wholesale food market early in the morning, Cadena Ser radio station reported.

Uploaded by Arion Yeow