Doctors cancel indefinite national strike after snap election is called

Medical unions withdrew the indefinite national strike they had scheduled after the government called an early election. In a joint statement, the Confederación de Sindicatos Médicos, the Basque SME and the Andalusian SMA explained that the election has halted progress on the Estatuto Marco, the regulatory framework they oppose, and there is currently no authority able to negotiate a specific medical statute. They said maintaining the strike would demand excessive effort from doctors without an effective political channel.

The dissolution of the Cortes nullifies ongoing legislative initiatives related to the Estatuto Marco, meaning any revival would require a fresh legislative process. The unions view the cancellation as a strategic success but stress that their broader conflict remains unresolved, continuing to demand a dedicated legal framework, negotiation table, end to mandatory on-call duties, appropriate retirement terms, and professional classification that reflects their responsibilities. They urge all parties to include clear positions on these issues in their election programs.