Spain: general strike against housing crisis

The protest comes at a convenient time for Spain’s left-wing parties, geographer Diego Miralles Buil observes in Le Monde:

“Given the way neighbourhood groups are organising, the strike is likely to take on massive proportions. … The Spanish Socialists are trying to capitalise on the movement to gain ground in the election on 29 November. Meanwhile the radical left has chosen Ada Colau, the former mayor of Barcelona and a strong advocate for housing, to lead its coalition into the elections. Can they secure a majority? For now, the right and far right are ahead in the polls, and for them the right to housing is not a priority.”