Málaga housing march goes ahead in the rain. Police say 12,000, organisers up to 50,000

A march over housing closed a day of general strike action in Málaga city on 11 November, going ahead despite heavy rain forecast for the start time. Attendance estimates differ widely: 12,000 according to the Policía Nacional, and up to 50,000 according to the organisers, Diario Sur reported.

Key facts

• Date and place: 11 November 2026, Málaga city; the march left Hospital Noble at 6pm.
• Police figure: 12,000, according to Policía Nacional calculations distributed by the Subdelegación del Gobierno (the central government's office in the province).
• Organisers' figure: the Comité de Huelga (strike committee) said 50,000; Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) put it at tens of thousands, or 10,000 or 20,000.
• Strike turnout: CCOO and UGT said morning participation was above 60%.
• Route: it did not complete the planned route to the Puente de las Américas; the manifesto was read in front of El Corte Inglés at 7.30pm.

March in bad weather

Diario Sur described the conditions as among the worst for a demonstration, with moderate rain turning heavy as people prepared to leave home. Even so, the metro carried many young people in raincoats and with umbrellas. The march left on time and, the paper said, cancelling it was never considered. Málaga Hoy also reported that thousands defied storm Charles, quoting a headline that "the housing situation is unsustainable".

Some participants told Diario Sur the turnout looked slightly smaller than at an earlier march held on the day of the eviction of a woman named Maricarmen. The rain also meant the usual banners were mostly absent, replaced by umbrellas.

Attendees gave personal accounts. One student said she had seen a small room advertised for 800 euros in Teatinos when looking for a place to study in Málaga. A 30-year-old civil servant said he had moved back to his parents' home to be able to save for a purchase.

What the manifesto demanded

The manifesto was read to a crowd that stayed despite the downpour. It said: "Paramos porque la vivienda nos cuesta la vida, porque los salarios no alcanzan y porque nos están desmantelando los servicios públicos" (roughly, "We are striking because housing costs us our lives, wages fall short and public services are being dismantled").

On housing, it called for expropriating properties held by funds, banks and large landlords to create a large public social housing stock, and for an end to tourist flats. It also made labour demands, including a higher minimum wage and a higher IPREM, the indicator used to calculate benefits and subsidies, and more investment in public services.

The text criticised landlords and employers, and also "all governments", including what it called the "self-proclaimed progressive government". It pointed to protest movements elsewhere in Europe and ended: "Esta huelga es sólo el principio" ("This strike is only the beginning").

Organisers' assessment

The Comité de Huelga brings together the Sindicato de Inquilinas (tenants' union), CCOO, UGT, CNT, CGT, Ustea, the Sindicato de Estudiantes and the SAT. Its spokeswoman, Carmen Arcas, told Diario Sur that the rain could have left the march empty, but that people are fed up and cannot afford rent.

CCOO general secretary Fernando Cubillo called it a "gran manifestación" and "histórica", and said he feared for its success when demonstrations in other Andalusian cities were suspended. Sindicato de Inquilinas spokesman Curro Machuca called the strike a "success" and the turnout massive.

The committee's statement also alleged that police "charged on several occasions without prior provocation and with no proportionality". Diario Sur's report, as provided, does not include a police response to that claim.

What next

CCOO said it would review the day. Cubillo also argued for keeping up the alliance between his union and neighbourhood and social movements in the city.