Spanish police used tear gas to disperse protesters during the eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her Madrid home, sparking nationwide outrage over the housing crisis.
The eviction of Maricarmen, an 87-year-old woman who had lived in a Madrid apartment for over seventy years, turned into a flashpoint for Spain’s housing crisis. Police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators outside her residence as she was removed after failing to pay the rent.
A Life in the Home She Could No Longer Afford
Maricarmen’s father rented the apartment since 1956. After his death, the lease passed to his wife, and after her death in 2005, the lease was transferred to Maricarmen’s name. In 2018 werd het appartement gekocht door een investeringsfonds. The fund claimed the transfer of the lease was unlawful and the court ruled in their favor. The rent for the apartment was then increased from 500 euros per month to 1650 euros. Maricarmen could not afford this amount with her monthly pension. Three previous attempts by the landlord to evict her were halted by the court. This time, the landlord was allowed to carry out the eviction.
The eviction unfolded amid a stark contrast: while Maricarmen’s legal team argued the move was volkomen disproportioneel
, the investment fund rejected an anonieme donateur’s offer to cover her rent. Her lawyer emphasized that a new legal challenge remained pending, while local authorities worked to find her a new place.
Protests and Political Backlash
The protest highlighted growing public frustration over the situation.
Spain’s housing minister, Rodríguez, condemned the eviction. The incident has intensified pressure, with activists pointing to the effects of speculative pressures.
A Symbol of Spain’s Housing Crisis
Maricarmen’s case reflects a broader trend: woningprijzen in Spanje stijgen enorm, vooral in de centra van grote steden als Madrid, Barcelona en Valencia, door investeerders en vastgoedfondsen die woningen opkopen en door vakantieverhuur.
Protesters emphasized that Maricarmen’s story is connected to wider demonstrations.
A protest sign read, You could be the next Maricarmen.
As debates over housing policy intensify, the case has become part of ongoing protests.
Maricarmen’s legal team continues to handle aspects of the case, while local officials search for a place for the woman. Meanwhile, the government faces criticism to address the issues.
The incident underscores the situation in Spain’s housing market. For Maricarmen, support has come from volunteers and demonstrators.