Clashes broke out between masked protesters and police in Barcelona on Wednesday as tens of thousands of people took part in Spain’s first general strike in 14 years, called by the country’s major trade unions over the housing affordability crisis and rising cost of living.Around 120,000 people joined demonstrations in Madrid and more than 50,000 gathered in Barcelona, where some protesters set fire to rubbish bins, smashed shop windows and clashed with police. Officers fired tear gas to disperse the crowds, while transport and other public services across the country faced significant disruption.The disturbances in Barcelona continued into the evening, with a heavy police presence in the city centre. Some clashes took place along Passeig de Gràcia, near the iconic Plaça de Catalunya. Local media reported that protesters fired fireworks at police and looted shops, including a Lego store. Some were also seen attempting to enter an Apple Store.The unions said around four million workers participated in the nationwide strike, which was backed by Spain’s two largest labour organisations, the UGT and CCOO, as well as tenants’ associations protesting against rising rents and evictions.UGT chief Pepe Álvarez described the strike as a success, citing “massive” participation, while CCOO leader Unai Sordo said turnout was “very significant”. However, participation varied across the country, with stronger support in coastal regions where housing pressures have been particularly acute.The walkout was the first general strike in Spain since 2012, when workers protested against austerity measures during the eurozone debt crisis. It comes less than three weeks before parliamentary elections scheduled for November 29.Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is seeking to make housing affordability a central election issue and shift the political debate away from corruption cases involving his inner circle and a deadly train crash last month. His Socialist Party, however, continues to trail in opinion polls.Spain faces a housing deficit of around 750,000 homes, which is projected to exceed one million by 2028, according to the country’s central bank.With home ownership becoming increasingly unaffordable, demand for rental accommodation has risen sharply, putting further pressure on the market. The average monthly rent of 1,176 euros ($1,315) is equivalent to about 98.7 per cent of a young person’s average monthly salary in Spain, according to the Youth Council of Spain.