Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman from Madrid, has died. Her death was announced by the Madrid Tenants' Union on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. Abascal's eviction from her lifelong home on September 23 had triggered nationwide protests over Spain's chronic housing crisis. The protests had been ongoing, with demonstrators calling for urgent housing measures. Abascal's case had become a symbol of the housing market crisis in Spain.
Abascal was evicted from her apartment after the real estate firm that owned the property drastically hiked the rent. She was taken out on a stretcher, and her eviction sparked outrage across the country. Hundreds of people had camped in Madrid's Puerta del Sol square in protest, demanding that the government take action to address the housing crisis. The protests had put pressure on the minority leftist government to present urgent housing measures.
The Spanish government had faced pressure to introduce more restrictions on evictions and automatic renewal of tenant contracts. However, their proposals were rejected in parliament last week. This led to Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez calling a snap election for November 29, 2026, in which housing would feature prominently. The housing debate had become a central issue in the election.
Abascal had been hospitalized with exhaustion after her eviction, but a deal was later reached with the company that owned her flat, allowing her to return home. However, the tenants' union stated that this solution had come too late and was a "totally avoidable situation after a torturous process". The union also stated that Abascal's case marked "a turning point in the history of this country".
Demonstrators had held signs reading "Not a single more Maricarmen" during a protest against evictions and high rent prices in Barcelona on October 5, 2026. The protests had been ongoing, with people demanding action from the government to address the housing crisis. The crisis had been a major issue in Spain, with many people struggling to afford housing.
The Madrid Tenants' Union expressed sadness at Abascal's passing, stating that her cause had marked a turning point in the country's history. The union also expressed concern that the cost of getting to this point had been too high. The housing debate was set to continue, with the snap election looming.
The snap election had been called for November 29, 2026, and was originally due in 2027. The housing crisis was expected to feature prominently in the election, with many people hoping for a change in the government's approach to addressing the issue. Abascal's legacy would likely continue to be felt in the ongoing debate over housing in Spain.
Key points
- Maricarmen Abascal's eviction sparked nationwide protests over Spain's housing crisis
- The protests led to a snap election being called for November 29, 2026
- Abascal's case marked a turning point in Spain's history, highlighting the need for urgent housing measures
