WATCH: Protesters clash with riot police, smash storefronts and launch fireworks at officers as chaos erupts during a massive nationwide strike in Spain.
Thousands flood the streets demanding relief from skyrocketing rents and the rising cost of living, with tensions escalating as police move in.
The unrest comes during Spain's first general strike in 14 years, disrupting transportation and businesses just weeks before a national election.
Conservative opposition leaders accuse the government of exploiting the unrest for electoral gain. See what’s driving the demonstrations: