Spain was hit on Wednesday by its first general strike in 14 years, as the main trade unions walked out over the housing crisis and the soaring cost of living, causing serious disruption to transport and other public services. In the evening, tens of thousands marched in cities including Madrid and Barcelona.
The worst disruption was in the industrial hubs of Madrid and north-eastern Catalonia, where traffic was halted on several main roads. The interior ministry said dozens of people were arrested over various incidents, and estate agency offices were reportedly attacked in some places.
UGT union leader Pepe Álvarez called the strike a success with "massive" participation, and Unai Sordo of the CC OO union described turnout as "very significant". The Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations disagreed, calling participation "low and uneven".
Anger over housing grew after 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal was evicted from the Madrid flat she had lived in for seven decades; she died in hospital weeks later. A 50-square-metre flat in Madrid cost about €1,170 a month on average in October, close to half the average gross monthly salary of about €2,460.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called snap elections last month after parliament failed to pass his housing reform plan. Spaniards vote on November 29.