Madrid public universities announce strikes over funding

The six public universities in Madrid have called for a strike on November 4 and 5. The protest is directed against the policies of the Community of Madrid's government, which critics claim have caused “economic asphyxiation” and promoted the “privatization of the education sector.”

Protest platforms argue that a multi-year funding plan signed by university rectors in March was “a scam” that failed to increase investment. They noted that university investment has stagnated at 0.4% of GDP, significantly lower than the 1% mandated by state law. The groups hold both the People's Party (PP) and the Conference of Rectors of Madrid Universities (CRUMA) responsible for the current crisis.

Additional strikes and mobilizations are planned for October 14, including at the Complutense University of Madrid and Rey Juan Carlos University. Labor unions such as CCOO, CGT, CNT, and UGT have criticized university administrations for implementing cuts that include closing afternoon shifts, merging student groups, reducing faculty budgets, and lowering salaries for predoctoral staff.