Spanish unions call for a general strike; opposition says the move is aimed at serving Snchez's political agenda.

Spain's largest unions are preparing to call a general strike on Nov. 11 to focus on housing issues. The move comes just as campaigning is about to begin ahead of a snap general election set for Nov. 29. The unions are responding to the rejection by an opposition-dominated parliament of a bill aimed at making housing more affordable. After the bill was voted down, Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Snchez called the snap election. "I share the demands of this strike," Justice Minister Flix Bolaos said in an interview Wednesday. "Spanish society widely believes the housing market isn't working properly. And what have the right and far right done? Nothing." The opposition says the protests are a tactic to mobilize voters and influence the election. "There were too many reasons in the past to demonstrate in defense of workers' rights, and they didn't do it," said Jaime de los Santos, a spokesman for the Popular Party. "This is clearly a political decision designed to serve Pedro Snchez's political agenda." The unions will formally confirm the strike date through a vote later Wednesday. The unions are demanding that the government intervene in the housing market to curb price increases, and are also calling for higher wages, as pay increases have lagged far behind rising housing costs.