Spanish Woman Whose Eviction Sparked Protests Dies at 87

Maricarmen Abascal, the 87-year-old woman whose eviction from her Madrid home of over 70 years ignited widespread housing protests and prompted an early general election, has died. Her death was announced by the Madrid tenants’ union, leading to thousands marching in protest, chanting “This is not a death. It’s a murder!”

Abascal had been hospitalized for severe anxiety and exhaustion since her eviction on September 23, when she was removed from her home by stretcher. Her case became a focal point for demonstrations against Spain's mounting housing crisis, characterized by a shortage of affordable homes and rising rents. Activists had established a camp in a central Madrid square following her eviction.

Following the news of her death, demonstrators marched from Puerta del Sol towards parliament. A 36-year-old marcher, Dario Gomez, stated in Madrid, “This was a completely avoidable death that symbolizes the drama that is the housing crisis in Spain.” Protests also occurred in Barcelona, and trade unions announced a nationwide general strike over housing issues scheduled for November 11.

The protests, coupled with parliament's rejection of decrees intended to curb evictions and limit rent increases, led Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to call for an early election on November 29. Sanchez is reportedly aiming to shift the political focus from a migrant crisis and corruption cases to the housing crisis, seeking to capitalize on public discontent over soaring rents.

The tenants' union issued a statement honoring Abascal's legacy, saying, “The best homage we can pay to her is to continue the fight, continue to mobilise, fight for a dignified life and that what happened to her doesn’t happen to anyone else.” Prime Minister Sanchez expressed his condolences on social media, writing, “A hug as well to all of us who feel this loss as our own today.”

Alberto Nunez Feijoo, leader of the opposition People’s Party, urged that Abascal's death not be politicized, stating on X that “In the face of someone’s death, respect is all that matters.”

Abascal's home had been purchased by an investment fund prior to her eviction. Her lawyer had indicated that an agreement for her to return to her home and pay her previous rent for eight years had been reached, but she was unable to sign the deal due to her declining health.

A neighbor described Abascal, who lived near Madrid’s Retiro Park, as a fighter with a strong sense of justice and solidarity, shaped by her experiences during Spain’s Franco regime. Another demonstrator, Guillermo Ruiz, expressed pessimism about immediate change but emphasized the need to continue fighting for basic rights.