Spanish housing protests erupt after eviction of 87-year-old woman in Madrid
Tens of thousands protested in Madrid and other Spanish cities against rising rents and forced evictions, sparked by the removal of an 87-year-old woman from her long-time home.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Madrid and across Spain on Saturday to protest soaring housing costs and forced evictions. The nationwide demonstrations were triggered by the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from the Madrid apartment where she had lived for 70 years.
Protesters marched under the slogan "Not one more Maricarmen," demanding stronger tenant protections and legislative action against rising rents. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez responded to the incident, describing the eviction as a "social tragedy" and pledging new housing measures.
Official turnout figures varied significantly. The Spanish Ministry of the Interior reported approximately 25,000 attendees in the capital, whereas organizers estimated the crowd reached 300,000.
Sources: Delo, ORF, SDK, Tagesschau, Vijesti.
Sources
- Tagesschau — Zehntausende demonstrieren nach Zwangsräumung von 87-Jähriger in Madrid
- SDK — ДЕСЕТИЦИ ИЛЈАДИ ЛУЃЕ ДЕМОНСТРИРАА ЗА ПРАВОТО НА ДОМУВАЊЕ ОТКАКО 87-ГОДИШНА ЖЕНА БЕШЕ ПРИСИЛНО ИСЕЛЕНА ОД СТАНОТ ВО МАДРИД
- Vijesti — Kap koja je prelila čašu: Slučaj izbacivanja bake iz stana podigao...
- ORF — Großdemo in Madrid nach Delogierung von 87-Jähriger
- Delo — Izselitev 87-letnice v Madridu zanetila proteste proti stanovanjski krizi
Earlier coverage
- Sep 29, 2026, 02:30 AM UTCSpaniards stage nationwide housing protests after eviction of 87-year-old woman