Congress approves housing decrees as strike fails to halt work
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The Permanent Deputation of Congress approved new housing decrees the day after a general strike over the property market filled city squares but failed to stop the economy. Business leaders declared the industrial action a failure, pointing to a limited impact on workplaces, while unions focused on the millions who took to the streets.
The political fallout has been equally messy. After Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez encouraged citizens to join the mobilization against those he called 'chainsaws,' the socialist wing of his government stayed silent during the actual protests. The opposition People's Party has already promised to repeal the new rent measures if they win the general election on November 29th.
The day was further complicated by riots and looting in Barcelona and Madrid, where police made several arrests. Away from the political friction, a police officer was injured by a shooting and explosion in Oviedo, while the state weather agency issued warnings for 100km/h winds as Storm Charles reaches the coast.