Overview
- Students and staff at the six public universities stopped work on Nov. 26–27, with pickets and encierros and mixed participation across campuses, including UPM closing faculties and UCM remaining open.
- Organizers call for lifting investment from roughly 0.4% to 1% of regional GDP and oppose the draft LESUC over financing mechanisms and perceived threats to institutional autonomy.
- Actions include banner deployments at noon and a 3:30 p.m. gathering at the regional Education Department to deliver a formal request to join LESUC negotiations.
- Regional education chief Emilio Viciana labeled the mobilizations unjustified, pointed to a claimed €170 million annual loss tied to an “independentist quota,” and cited a proposed €1.2397 billion university budget for next year, up 6.5%.
- Financial strain is a central backdrop, with UCM recently seeking a €34.5 million regional loan to cover its deficit and organizers warning they may escalate to an indefinite strike if financing talks stall.