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Spanish pensioner Maricarmen Abascal dies weeks after eviction sparked nationwide protests
Overview
Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old Spanish pensioner whose forced eviction from her Madrid apartment of over 70 years triggered widespread protests and a political crisis, has died in hospital. Her eviction due to unaffordable rent increases became a symbol of Spain's housing crisis, prompting emergency legislation that was later rejected by Congress and leading to large-scale demonstrations across the country.
Key points
- Maricarmen Abascal, 87, died in hospital after being forcibly evicted from her Madrid apartment in September.
- She had lived in the flat for over 70 years before being removed on a stretcher due to being unable to afford rent increases.
- Her eviction sparked nationwide protests and a political row that triggered early elections in Spain.
- Although the flat's owner offered a lower rent rate, she could not sign the agreement because she was hospitalised.
- The Madrid Tenants' Union stated that her death marks a tragic turning point in the country's housing crisis.