Spain housing strike draws 3 million, 115 arrests as Madrid and Barcelona boil

Spain's unions say more than 3 million people walked out on Wednesday in the country's first general strike since 2012, turning streets in Madrid, Barcelona and beyond into protest lines against a housing crisis three weeks before a snap election. The day was mostly peaceful until nightfall, when police and protesters clashed in Barcelona and riot officers in Madrid fired foam bullets, tear gas and pepper spray around Plaza de España. Police reported at least 115 arrests nationwide, including over blockades of offices and industrial estates.

By Thursday the political fallout was landing on Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska. Sumar, the Socialists' junior coalition partner, called for his resignation, branding the police response to protesters as excessive and disproportionate. Amnesty International said it documented baton blows on peaceful protesters and indiscriminate pepper spray use on crowds. Grande-Marlaska ordered investigations into the incidents, according to the Interior Ministry.