Spanish Pensioner to Return Home After Eviction Sparks Nationwide Protests

An 87-year-old Spanish pensioner, Maricarmen Abascal, is set to return to the Madrid apartment she has occupied for 70 years after a court-ordered eviction on September 23, 2026, ignited national outrage and protests. The eviction followed a proposed rent increase of 275% by the building's new owners, investment brothers Ricardo Alonso Fernández and Fernando Alonso Fuentes.

Ms. Abascal, who had been paying approximately €440 (£379) per month under an old tenancy agreement, was forcibly removed from her home on a stretcher. Footage from the event showed riot police breaking through a barricade of furniture erected by supporters attempting to prevent the eviction. Her monthly pension is €1,350, making the proposed rent of €1,650 (£1,420) unfeasible.

In response to the eviction, tens of thousands of people marched through Madrid on September 26, demanding greater tenant protections amidst a severe housing shortage and escalating rental costs. The protests were hailed by Ms. Abascal's lawyer, Beatriz Duro, as the catalyst for a new agreement.

Ms. Duro stated that both parties had demonstrated "goodwill" and reached an agreement for a new contract under which Ms. Abascal would pay a rent close to her previous amount. The agreement is awaiting Ms. Abascal's signature, which she will provide when she feels better, as she is currently being treated for exhaustion. Supporters celebrated the development as a victory but pledged to continue advocating for affordable housing and against evictions.

The apartment, located in Madrid's Retiro district, was originally rented by Ms. Abascal's father in 1956. She continued to reside there after her parents' passing, with her rent capped by the terms of the original lease. The property management firm Urbagestión Desarrollo e Inversión SL, owned by the Alonso Fernández brothers, purchased the apartment in 2018. According to reports, the firm paid approximately €240,000 (£207,000) for the property. Ms. Abascal's lawyer indicated that the owners had not directly communicated with her in the eight years since the purchase.

This was not the first attempt to evict Ms. Abascal; three previous efforts had been blocked by the courts. The legal battle ultimately reached the Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of the firm, paving the way for the September 23 eviction. Police officers removed dozens of activists who had barricaded the building's entrance in an effort to prevent the eviction.

After being removed from her home, Ms. Abascal was taken to Gregorio Marañón Hospital. She declined emergency placement offered by the city and is reportedly staying with a relative. The incident has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, with Amnesty International Spain calling it a violation of human rights and a system that prioritizes speculative interests over a person's right to housing. The organization noted that Ms. Abascal's case exemplifies the struggles faced by thousands of households in Spain.

British pianist James Rhodes had reportedly offered to pay Ms. Abascal's rent or buy the apartment to allow her to stay, but his proposals were rejected by Urbagestión. Celebrities and activists, including Carlos Bardem and singer Ana Belén, had supported Ms. Abascal, camping outside her building and organizing events in solidarity.

The housing crisis in Spain has been a significant concern for years, with a shortage of homes leading to soaring rents and property prices. The Bank of Spain estimates a deficit of 700,000 homes nationwide. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's government has pledged to introduce housing relief measures, aiming to address public discontent. Ms. Abascal herself described the company's actions as "inhuman" and driven by profit motives, lamenting that housing had become inaccessible for ordinary residents due to factors like short-term tourist rentals.