Spanish pensioner whose eviction sparked nationwide protests dies
An elderly woman whose eviction sparked nationwide protests over Spain's housing crisis and a political row that triggered early elections has died, according to Madrid's tenants union.
Maricarmen Abascal, 87, was forcibly removed on a stretcher from her flat, where she had lived for more than 70 years, on 23 September after rent rises made her unable to pay. The property company later offered a lower rate, but she was unable to sign the agreement as she was in the hospital.
The Madrid Tenants' Union said Abascal’s situation marked "a turning point in the history of this country" and that her death underscored the high cost paid in fighting the housing crisis.
"Speculation costs lives, and today rent profiteering has finished killing our colleague Maricarmen," said union spokeswoman Alicia del Río.
"Her memory lives on and makes us fight even harder."
Abascal was already in fragile health when she was evicted and was admitted to Gregorio Marañón Hospital, where she sent messages of support to protesters from her bed. When news of her death reached Puerta del Sol, thousands gasped, followed by a minute of silence.
Dozens of candles were lit around the square and more were laid to form an altar in front of the Community of Madrid government headquarters. Messages placed near the site read: "it’s not a death, it’s a killing," "the fight will continue," and "Maricarmen, the grandmother of the whole country."
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the loss and called, "All my love goes to Maricarmen's family and loved ones…a hug as well to everyone who today feels this loss as their own." The opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo also sent condolences, urging that her death not be politicised.
The event exposed deep political divisions, as the left‑leaning government’s emergency housing decrees were rejected in Congress and early elections were called. Tens of thousands marched from Puerta del Sol to Parliament chanting "we will not tolerate a single eviction more" and "the fight will continue, Maricarmen is still alive."
