Politics · Spain · 2 days ago
Madrid mourns 87-year-old whose eviction sparked housing protests
Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old pensioner in Madrid, died in hospital two weeks after she was evicted from her home.
She had lived there for 70 years, and her apartment had been bought by an investment firm that sought to raise her rent by 230%.
Her eviction helped spark protests over high rents, housing shortages and evictions across Spain.
Thousands marched in Madrid on Thursday to mourn her, leaving flowers and messages outside her former home.
Her death has also stirred political arguments, with parties accusing each other of using her case for election purposes.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called a snap general election for November 29 after parliament failed to pass emergency housing measures.
Spain's ombudsman has proposed expanding public housing, restricting tourist rentals and strengthening protections against evictions for vulnerable households.
Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old pensioner whose eviction became a focus of Spain’s housing protests, died in hospital.
Thousands of people marched in Madrid on Thursday, 8 October, to mourn her and protest housing costs and evictions.
Abascal had been evicted from her home in September after an investment firm sought to raise her rent by 230%.
Her death intensified political debate over housing and tributes to her in regional institutions.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called a snap general election for 29 November amid the housing crisis and political turmoil.
- Who
- María del Carmen Abascal, known as Maricarmen, and the protesters who gathered in her memory.
- What
- Abascal died after her eviction, prompting protests and renewed debate over Spain’s housing crisis.
- When
- She died on Wednesday, 7 October; protests took place on Thursday, 8 October.
- Where
- Madrid, Spain.
- Why
- Her eviction and death became a focus of anger over housing costs, evictions and access to affordable housing.
Conservative People’s Party (PP)
Socialist and left-leaning parties
Political responsibility
Conservative People’s Party (PP)
The PP’s Alberto Nunez Feijoo accused Sanchez and the Socialists of exploiting the housing crisis for political gain.
Socialist and left-leaning parties
Left-leaning parties criticised conservatives for rejecting legislation intended to curb rising rents.
Tributes to Abascal
Conservative People’s Party (PP)
The PP refused to observe a minute of silence in her honour.
Socialist and left-leaning parties
Hard-left deputies held a minute of silence outside City Hall and gave Abascal a standing ovation in the regional assembly.
They killed her through heartbreak
We will not allow this attempt to manipulate the emotions of the Spanish people; all of this has happened during their eight years in government. It won’t fly
Abascal was evicted from her Madrid home on a stretcher.
Abascal reached a deal to return home, but died before she could do so.
Abascal died in hospital.
Thousands marched in Madrid and mourners left tributes outside her former home.
Spain’s snap general election is scheduled to take place.
- Age
- 87
- Rent increase sought
- 230%
- Eviction date
- September 23
- Protest date
- Thursday, 8 October
- Snap election date
- 29 November
- Support for housing-market intervention
- 76.3 percent of Spaniards in a June survey
Sources
Spain: Madrid protesters mourn evicted pensioner Maricarmen Abascal
Tens of thousands march in Madrid to mourn pensioner whose eviction sparked housing protests
Protests, debate follow death of Maricarmen, 87, Spain protest symbol
Spain’s Protesters See ‘Madness’ of Rising Rent and a ‘Martyr’ in Maricarmen
Fresh protests sweep Madrid after death of Maricarmen, symbol of Spain's housing crisis – video
An elderly woman’s death after eviction is rocking Spain. Will public outcry help its socialist PM stay in power?
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