Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Maricarmen Abascal’s Death Intensifies Spain’s Housing Crisis Debate
Maricarmen Abascal was 87 and had lived in her Madrid apartment for about 70 years.
The company that owned the building proposed a rent that was higher than her monthly pension.
After a long legal dispute, she was evicted on September 23 and taken to hospital.
She died there on October 7, and no cause of death was announced.
Protests spread as people called for lower housing costs and stronger protections for tenants.
The company later agreed that she could return under a cheaper rental contract.
But she died before she could go home.
Her case became part of a national debate about housing and politics.
María del Carmen “Maricarmen” Abascal, 87, died in hospital on October 7, after her September 23 eviction from her Madrid home; no cause of death was announced.
She had lived in the apartment for about 70 years; after its 2018 acquisition by Urbagestión, proposed monthly rent rose from about €500 to €2,650, then was lowered to €1,650.
Abascal’s pension was reported at about €1,350 a month, and the Supreme Court ruled against her in March 2026, according to one report.
Following protests, Urbagestión agreed on September 28 to an eight-year contract with rent capped at €500 a month, but Abascal died before returning home.
Thousands marched in Madrid after her death as housing became a major political issue; Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called a snap election for November 29 after Parliament rejected housing measures.
- Who
- María del Carmen “Maricarmen” Abascal, tenants and housing protesters, Urbagestión, and Spanish political leaders.
- What
- Abascal died after being evicted from her longtime home; her case sparked protests and political disputes over housing.
- When
- She was evicted on September 23, reached a rental agreement on September 28, and died on October 7; a Madrid march was reported on October 8.
- Where
- Madrid, Spain; Abascal was evicted from her apartment and died in hospital.
- Why
- A prolonged tenancy dispute over rent and her right to remain in the apartment culminated in her eviction, amid wider concerns about rent increases and housing shortages.
Left-leaning parties and housing advocates
Conservatives and government critics
Responsibility for housing policy
Left-leaning parties and housing advocates
Left-leaning parties criticized conservatives for rejecting proposed measures intended to curb rising rents.
Conservatives and government critics
Conservative politicians said the left-led national government had failed to address the housing crisis after eight years in power.
Responsibility for Abascal’s eviction
Left-leaning parties and housing advocates
Housing campaigners and protesters condemned the eviction and called for stronger tenant protections and more affordable housing.
Conservatives and government critics
Madrid regional leader Isabel Díaz Ayuso blamed Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, noting that the eviction happened under his government.
Political use of the case
Left-leaning parties and housing advocates
Left-leaning lawmakers invoked Abascal’s case to argue for stronger housing measures and criticize opponents.
Conservatives and government critics
People’s Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo accused Sánchez and the Socialists of exploiting the housing crisis for political gain.
- Age
- 87
- Time in apartment
- About 70 years; one report describes it as 71 years
- Rent proposal
- Rose from about €500 to €2,650 a month, then was reduced to €1,650
- Monthly pension
- About €1,350
- Eviction
- September 23; she was carried out on a stretcher
- Rental agreement
- Urbagestión agreed on September 28 to an eight-year contract with rent capped at €500 a month
- Death
- October 7 in hospital; no cause of death was announced
- Snap election
- Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called a general election for November 29 after housing measures were rejected in Parliament
Sources
Maria del Carmen Abascal dies: How the 87-year-old woman’s eviction shook Spain
Spain takes to the streets for Maricarmen, whose eviction triggered snap polls
Spanish politicians trade blame after death of octogenarian at heart of housing protests
Thousands of Spaniards march to mark death of octogenarian at heart of housing protests
