Clashes erupt in Barcelona after thousands join Spain protests

Protesters set trash bins on fire, blocked roads and broke into an Apple store in downtown Barcelona on Wednesday evening. after tens of thousands of people marched in support of a nationwide general strike over Spain's housing crisis.

This, less than three weeks before a national election that could bring the far right to power.

Spain's first general strike in 14 years caused delays to the widely-used public transport system and led to the slowdown or shuttering of businesses, factories and shops across the eurozone's fourth-largest economy.

The housing activists want several measures, including the ban on tourist apartments, a crackdown on real estate speculation and protection for renters in the form of automatic renewals of leases.

Unions are demanding more government intervention in the housing market and a new minimum wage agreement.