A phone video posted by Ione Belarra shows an officer asking her for identification at a strike picket she had visited in support. In the footage described in her post, the Podemos secretary-general then asks the officer for his badge number.
Belarra said on X that police were identifying participants for taking part in the general strike. The nationwide 24-hour stoppage took place on 11 November 2026. It was Spain’s first general strike in 14 years, with unions centring their demands on affordable housing and wage growth, while also calling for the protection of public services. Reuters reported that unions estimated participation at four million workers. Picket activity also disrupted routes in València, as described in a report on road blockages. The strike came less than three weeks before the snap national election scheduled for 29 November.
Irene Montero accused the government of sending police to use force against pickets. She said the groups were peacefully informing people about the reasons for the strike and argued their activity was protected by the constitutional right to strike.
Montero said participants had reported unjustified identity checks and the use of pepper spray. She also alleged that officers had used batons and displayed launchers in an intimidating manner. These are her claims. Reuters reported a confrontation between police and pickets at Mercamadrid, Madrid’s principal wholesale market for fresh produce. CCOO Madrid said police used pepper spray and that 13 people required medical attention. A police spokesperson confirmed an arrest but did not confirm pepper-spray use at Mercamadrid, while saying it had been used at a separate picket in Carabanchel. By late afternoon, at least 42 people had been arrested nationwide, according to figures attributed to the Interior Ministry by Anadolu Agency. Earlier Interior Ministry figures cited by Europa Press recorded 476 incidents and 26 arrests by the National Police and Civil Guard between 22:00 on 10 November and 11:00 the following day. Montero said her party was documenting interventions and was in contact with the Government Delegation in Madrid.
The dispute also concerns minimum staffing during the stoppage. Montero criticised the Madrid government led by Isabel Díaz Ayuso, accusing it of exerting pressure on striking workers in education and transport. On 11 November, the Contentious-Administrative Chamber of the High Court of Justice of Madrid ordered the suspension of the Community of Madrid’s minimum-service arrangements across Justice, Education and transport, except Metro de Madrid. It directed that they be replaced by the levels used during the 14 November 2012 general strike. The urgent interim order followed an appeal by CCOO Madrid against staffing requirements set by a regional agreement dated 4 November. It did not remove minimum services altogether; rail and flight schedules were covered by separate arrangements.
At the Hospital Gómez Ulla, Montero thanked striking staff and pickets while supporting demands for higher wages and lower living costs. She also criticised the hospital’s management over the possible closure of its paediatric emergency department. Álex de Marcos, a CGT union representative at the hospital, estimated that the service would close on 23 November, citing working conditions and staff overload. He said families might have to travel to the 12 de Octubre or Clínico hospitals.
Montero linked the hospital dispute to government spending on defence, saying Gómez Ulla needed more health staff. Her remarks concerned the hospital’s paediatric emergency service, whose management involves the Ministry of Defence and the Community of Madrid.
Other left-wing figures challenged Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska over police conduct. Antonio Maíllo, general coordinator of IU, said there had been excessive force and argued that police should answer to the minister. He said his party would seek a change at Interior if the PSOE and its coalition partners formed a government again after the 29 November election.
Adelante Andalucía reported an alleged assault on regional MP Inma Manzano and party organisation secretary Néstor Salvador at a picket in the Granada Metro depots. The party said Salvador went to hospital with a serious rib injury; a medical report confirmed a chest injury and a fractured rib. Adelante said it was considering a complaint alleging assault and violation of fundamental rights.
