Maricarmen Abascal, 87, dies after eviction sparked housing protests across Spain

Maricarmen Abascal, the 87-year-old woman whose eviction from her longtime Madrid home became a symbol of Spain’s housing crisis, died Wednesday while hospitalized. Her case sparked protests across the country and became part of a growing political dispute over housing affordability and tenant protections.

Abascal was evicted on September 23 from the apartment in Madrid’s Retiro neighborhood where she had lived for more than 70 years. She was removed from the property on a stretcher and taken to Gregorio Marañón Hospital, where she remained hospitalized until her death. The cause of death had not been announced.

Her eviction prompted housing activists to establish a protest camp in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol and demonstrations spread to other parts of Spain. Hundreds of people marched toward Congress on Wednesday night after news of her death, while protesters gathered in the square to light candles and pay tribute to her.

The case also intensified Spain’s political debate over housing. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez offered condolences to Abascal’s family, while politicians from different parties exchanged criticism over the government’s housing policies and the role of opposition parties in blocking proposed measures. Sánchez has called a snap general election for November 29.

Abascal had lived in the 92-square-meter apartment under Spain’s former “old rent” system, paying about 500 euros a month. The property had been acquired by an investment firm, and after years of legal proceedings, a court authorized the eviction following a dispute over the increased rent.

Her lawyers and housing activists have argued that the eviction had a severe impact on her health. However, authorities have not announced an official cause of death, and no definitive link between the eviction and her death has been established.