“I hope this will bring change”: a first general strike in 14 years in Spain

This text corresponds to part of the transcription of the report above. Click on the video to watch it in full. A tense face-to-face between demonstrators and the police in the center of Madrid (Spain).

The end of the demonstration was marked by a few incidents and arrests, but no damage or looting, as the authorities feared. A few hours earlier, thousands had responded to the unions' call. A 24-hour general strike for better living conditions.

"First of all, we want decent housing. Prices in Spain have risen too much. It is impossible to buy now with what you earn.

Then, we want our salaries to be increased, because they are much too low", explained a demonstrator. A warning for Pedro Sánchez Another demonstration in Barcelona and same demands. In the procession, high school students, students and especially employees, exasperated by the drop in purchasing power: "I want a decent salary to live a normal life, to have my space of freedom, my accommodation.

Don't count every euro to buy food and eat normally. "A very sustained strike in transport. In airports and train stations, it was difficult to get around, but travelers were rather understanding: "The authorities sometimes need to feel pressure from the streets to act"; "I see things with optimism.

Many people are mobilized today, because they are like me, at the end of their rope. I hope this brings change. “This general strike is a warning to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

In office for more than eight years, he called early legislative elections for November 29. A risky bet as the protests in Spain grow.

Machine-translated from French