General Strike in Spain: Police Clashes and Roadblocks in Madrid and Barcelona

A general strike began in Spain on November 11, 2026, with unions reporting widespread participation in strategic sectors. Police charges were recorded at locations such as Mercamadrid and EMT depots in Fuencarral, Madrid.

Energy consumption fell by nearly 10 percent, according to union data. Unions highlighted 90 percent participation in the automotive industry and ports, 85 percent in the meat industry, 82 percent in waste collection, and 75 percent in the energy sector.

“Wide follow-up in the first shifts of the General Strike. The day proceeds with generalized normality, although police charges have been recorded at points such as Mercamadrid or Madrid garages.”

Total production stoppages occurred at major companies including Volkswagen Navarra and Seat Barcelona. Informational pickets caused road closures and significant traffic jams in major cities, particularly Madrid and Barcelona.

In Madrid, around 1,000 protesters gathered at Mercamadrid. Thirteen people were treated after police used pepper spray, and one person was detained for throwing a barrier at a national police officer.

Employers presented a contrasting view of participation. The hospitality employers' association described turnout among its workers as very low, while the Valencian employers' association put the figure at 2.6 percent in its region and under 5 percent in Castilla-La Mancha.

The central food supply network reported that its 24 platforms operated without significant incidents, though at a lower activity level, with pickets present at 12 of them.