Labour unions in Catalonia to strike amid pro-independence protests
Two Spanish labour unions have called for a general strike in Catalonia today to demand an increase in the Catalan minimum wage and denounce recent labour legislative reforms.
The Intersindical-CSC and Intersindical Alternativa de Catalunya strike comes after Spain’s Supreme Court sentenced nine Catalan separatist leaders to prison terms of between nine and thirteen years on charges of sedition. Since the ruling was announced on Monday, thousands of protesters have clashed with riot police on the streets of Barcelona.
Expect pro-independence voters to manifest their frustrations with the verdict on the streets and at the ballot box.
Incensed voters may be able to take advantage of political divisions among Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government, far left and centrist parties to elect pro-independence politicians or weaken the existing government in general elections set for November 10. Likewise, protesters may also demonstrate their discontent with more rioting, potentially rejuvenating the demonstrations that were sparked by the 2017 independence referendum, led by the exiled Carlos Puigdemont, and run the risk of another government crackdown in Catalonia.
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