Police charges against strike protesters open a crisis in the Interior Ministry

The police response to protesters during a general strike in Madrid has sparked a crisis for Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska. Leftist groups are calling for his resignation after footage showed police using tear gas and pepper spray against demonstrators. Grande-Marlaska has ordered investigations into the incidents and announced a ban on tear gas in crowd control. Police unions criticize this decision, arguing it leaves officers vulnerable and may lead to more severe confrontations. The protests saw significant police presence, with 100 arrests nationwide, and many protesters reported feeling trapped and frightened during the clashes. Amnesty International is collecting evidence of police violence for further investigation.