Maricarmen Abascal, the 87-year-old Spanish pensioner whose eviction from her Madrid apartment sparked nationwide housing protests and led to an early election, has died in hospital. Her passing triggered fresh demonstrations and tributes across Spain as political leaders offered condolences.
Hospitalisation Following Eviction From Retiro Home
Maricarmen Abascal was taken out of her home on a stretcher in the upscale Retiro neighborhood of Madrid on September 23 after being unable to afford steep rent increases. The apartment had been in her family for more than seven decades, her father first renting the property in 1956 under a system that capped rental costs.
Urbagestión purchased the property in 2018 and subsequently raised the monthly rent from €500 to €2,650. Police and social workers ultimately removed her from the premises while she was suffering from severe anxiety and exhaustion, leading to her hospitalisation.
Prior to her passing, a lawyer representing her confirmed that an eight-year agreement had been reached with her landlord that would have allowed her to return home and pay rent at the same prior amount once she felt well enough to leave the hospital. However, the tenants’ union noted that this settlement ultimately arrived too late.
Protests and Political Turmoil Leading to Early Elections
Her eviction galvanized public anger over Spain’s housing crisis, drawing tens of thousands of demonstrators into the streets across multiple cities. Hundreds of protesters camped out in Madrid’s central Puerta del Sol square, maintaining their protest for nearly two weeks. The unrest intensified after parliament rejected emergency housing decrees last week that aimed to curb evictions and limit rent pressures.
The legislative defeat and mounting public pressure prompted Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to call an early election for November 29, moving the vote up from its originally scheduled year in 2027. Trade unions also announced a nationwide general strike focused on housing issues for November 11. Meanwhile, territorial policy minister Angel Victor Torres stated that Abascal had transformed into a symbol representing the struggles of elderly and young people attempting to maintain their homes.
Reactions to the Death and Condolences From Leadership
News of Abascal’s death reached demonstrators in Puerta del Sol, where the crowd fell silent before observing a minute of respect.
“Although a historic agreement was reached that would have allowed her to return to her home, this solution came too late,”
Madrid Tenants’ Union
“It was an entirely avoidable situation following a harrowing ordeal.”
Madrid Tenants’ Union
Political leaders responded to her passing through social media statements. Prime Minister Sánchez posted a message offering his support to her family, while opposition People’s Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo called for respect, stating that her death should not be exploited for political campaigns or partisan interests.
The tenants’ union emphasised that supporters are left carrying forward her legacy and honoring her persistent call to action to keep fighting for what belongs to them.
Additional context sourced from reporting by: news.rthk.hk, yahoo.com, and associated wire materials.