Madrid strike: Spain moves to ban police tear gas
Madrid’s 11 November general strike is prompting a change to police rules: Spain’s National Police will no longer be allowed to use tear gas at public-order operations. The Interior Ministry confirmed the order on Friday, 13 November, after disputed police charges against pickets and protesters. Unions had called the strike to demand better access to housing and higher pay.
Smoke canisters remain in use
The new rule will not stop officers using ATL smoke canisters. These release a cloud of tear-gas smoke that the ministry describes as harmless and non-injurious. Police also have rubber bullets and shotguns that fire blank cartridges.
Strike policing faces scrutiny
Madrid’s senior police command opened an internal review on Thursday into officers’ actions during the strike. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska also ordered a separate, focused investigation. He questioned whether some police charges against pickets and protesters had been proportionate.
Police unions say the tear-gas ban casts suspicion on officers and leaves them inadequately protected. Grande-Marlaska rejected calls to resign. He defended the lawful use of police force, but said the measures officers use must be necessary and proportionate.
Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com