Spanish pensioner whose eviction sparked housing crisis dies at 87
Maricarmen Abascal, the Spanish pensioner whose eviction sparked mass housing protests and political unrest, has died in Madrid.
Maricarmen Abascal, the 87-year-old Spanish pensioner whose eviction became a symbol of the country's housing crisis, has died in Madrid. A local tenants' union confirmed her passing on Wednesday.
Abascal was forcibly removed from her home in Madrid's Retiro district in late September after an investment firm raised her monthly rent from €500 to €2,650. Her removal on a medical stretcher was broadcast widely, prompting mass public demonstrations across Spain and escalating political tension. Although she was briefly permitted to return to her residence following the public outcry, her case triggered the defeat of proposed housing legislation in parliament, ultimately leading Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to call snap general elections.
Sources: Aftenposten, Berlingske, Morgunblaðið, NRK, Vísir
Sources
- NRK — Maricarmen (87) som utløste spanske boligprotester er død
- Berlingske — Tidligere tvangsfjernet spansk 87-årig kvinde er død
- Morgunblaðið — Tákngervingur spænsku húsnæðiskreppunar látinn
- Aftenposten — 87-åringen som ble symbolet på Spanias boligopprør, er død
- Vísir — Konan sem var borin út er látin
Earlier coverage
- Oct 8, 2026, 02:30 AM UTCSpanish housing protest figure Maricarmen Abascal dies aged 87
- Oct 7, 2026, 09:30 PM UTCSpanish pensioner whose eviction sparked national housing protests dies