Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old whose forced eviction became a flashpoint for Spain’s national housing crisis, has died. Her passing was confirmed by the Madrid Tenants’ Union, which stated that her ordeal represented a pivotal moment in the country’s history. Maricarmen Abascal was evicted from her flat in Madrid two weeks ago. The Madrid Tenants’ Union said: “While a historic agreement was reached that would have allowed her to return to her home, this solution has come too late, referring to the rejected bills.
Abascal had lived in her Madrid apartment for more than 70 years, originally rented by her father in 1956. Following her parents’ deaths, she remained in the property under a rent-controlled agreement. However, the situation changed significantly in 2018 when the property was acquired by the investment firm Urbagestión. The company subsequently moved to increase her monthly rent from €500 (£428; $572) to €2,650 (£2,280; $3,020). An absolutely avoidable situation after a torturing process.
On 23 September, authorities forcibly removed Abascal from the home on a stretcher. Although Urbagestión had previously offered to reduce the rent to €1,650—a figure still exceeding her monthly pension—she was unable to finalize any agreement after being hospitalized. The courts had blocked three previous attempts to evict her, but the eventual removal triggered widespread public anger, fueling massive protests that saw tens of thousands of citizens march in cities across Spain. The company later offered to reduce this to â¬1,650 – still â¬300 more than Abascal’s monthly pension. With tens of thousands of people taking to the streets in cities across the country over the weekend, that led to further protests.
Official Statements and Advocacy
- Final message: In a video recorded from her hospital bed, Abascal stated: “I haven’t managed to defend my home, but I have fought so that others can learn to fight for what’s theirs.”
- Union stance: Madrid Tenants’ Union spokesperson Alicia del Río declared: “Speculation costs lives, and today rentierism has finished killing our colleague Maricarmen,” while promising to continue the fight for housing rights.
- Government response: Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his condolences to Abascal’s family and those who viewed her death as a personal loss.
The political fallout from the case has been significant. Emergency housing legislation proposed by the coalition government was rejected by Congress last week, intensifying the unrest. Following this legislative failure, Sánchez announced an early general election for 29 November, stating he requires a broader parliamentary majority to bypass the resistance of political elites.
The current government faces pressure from multiple fronts, including cost-of-living concerns, immigration challenges, and corruption allegations against the ruling party. Meanwhile, labor unions have organized a nationwide general strike for 11 November to demand robust housing reforms. Public demonstrations have continued, with activists gathering at Madrid’s Puerta del Sol square to light candles and display portraits of Abascal.
Opinion polls indicate that conservative parties are currently favored to emerge as the largest force in the upcoming elections, though they would likely require support from the hard-right Vox party to secure a governing majority. Political opponents have argued that the government’s proposed market interventions would ultimately restrict rental supply and exacerbate price hikes.
Important Details
- Above all, we will fulfil what she always asked of us: ‘fight, keep fighting for what is yours,'” it said.
