Elderly Eviction Sparked Spain’s Housing Uprising – Now the Woman Has Died
The death of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal has sent shock waves through Madrid, following her forced eviction from a long‑held flat. Her case became a flashpoint for Spain’s chronic housing shortage, sparking national protests and forcing the government to call a snap election.
Background
The Retiro‑district flat originally rented by Abascal’s father in 1956 saw rent rise from €500 to €2,650 after a 2018 takeover, outpacing the older woman’s pension. She was removed on a stretcher while hospitalised, with a caretaker pleading for a chance to re‑sign at a lower rate.
National Protests
Following her eviction, crowds gathered in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol, chanting slogans such as "We will not tolerate a single eviction more" and "Maricarmen is still alive." The movement spread to other cities, turning into a broad campaign for housing justice.
Political Fallout
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced two emergency decrees that were later rejected in Parliament, leading him to call early elections for 29 November. The government is now debating whether reforms can overcome elite resistance and address widespread discontent.
Tributes and Continuing Movement
After Abascal’s death, a minute of silence was observed at the square, followed by candles, written messages and the rallying cry "murderers." Thousands marched to Parliament, demanding that housing reforms take precedent over speculative rents. The union and opposition leaders called for respect and avoided politicising the woman’s death.
Maricarmen’s story, told from her hospital bed, remains a symbol for tenants fighting to claim their right to a home and has set a new tone for the country’s ongoing debate about who owns and controls housing.
