Podemos candidate Irene Montero accused the government of ordering officers to use physical force against pickets during the 11 November general strike. The 24-hour nationwide stoppage, backed by Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) and Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT), focused on the rising cost of living, especially housing affordability and wages. The unions estimated that about four million workers took part, roughly one-fifth of the workforce. Spain’s first general strike in 14 years also drew support from tenants’ organizations and came less than three weeks before a snap general election. CCOO says it will file a lawsuit against police over their conduct during the stoppage.
The union has collected videos and protesters’ complaints, and is also gathering witness accounts. It plans to set out its position on the police response during the coming week, after reviewing the material. The demonstrations were mostly peaceful, but clashes were reported in parts of Madrid and Barcelona; unions said police used tear gas and batons and that 20 protesters were injured. Roadblocks were reported in the early hours, and clashes also occurred at a wholesale market in Madrid. UGT and CCOO reported 90% participation in ports and the automotive sector, with total stoppages at Volkswagen’s Navarre plant and SEAT’s Barcelona facility.
CCOO leader Unai Sordo announced the intended legal action on Saturday, 14 November, at an event marking the 50th anniversary of Comisiones Obreras de Madrid. He said the conduct was far from normal and argued that the problem extended beyond what he described as ultra impulses within the Policía Nacional. He pointed to what he called a gap in part of the state security forces. Sordo described the police intervention as regrettable and disproportionate and said CCOO was collecting testimony and evidence before announcing its next legal measures the following week.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska ordered the Directorate-General of the Policía Nacional, led by Francisco Pardo Piqueras, to open specific investigations into incidents during the strike. The Interior Ministry’s reported figures through 23:00 on 11 November recorded 1,144 strike-related incidents and 47 arrests by the Policía Nacional and Guardia Civil, including 20 in Madrid and six in Valencia. Marlaska also issued a reported instruction against the use of tear gas at demonstrations. Montero also alleged that officers were making unjustified identity checks. Ione Belarra, the formation’s secretary general, posted a video showing an officer asking her to identify herself after she went to support a picket called for the strike. A separate report on Interior’s inquiry described the ministry’s response to incidents during the same stoppage.
