Spanish pensioner whose eviction sparked housing protests dies, tenants union says

Maricarmen Abascal, 87, became a symbol of Spain's housing crisis after being forcibly removed from her Madrid apartment

By LineZotpaper

Published8 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources2 outlets

Maricarmen Abascal, the 87-year-old pensioner whose eviction from her Madrid home of more than 70 years sparked nationwide protests and triggered early elections, has died, according to the Madrid Tenants' Union. Her case became a flashpoint for anger over Spain's housing crisis after her rent was increased from €500 to €2,650 per month, far exceeding her pension.

The Madrid Tenants' Union announced the death of Maricarmen Abascal on Wednesday, calling her situation "a turning point in the history of this country." The union said a deal had been reached that would have allowed her to return to her home at a lower rent, but "this solution came too late."

Abascal was forcibly removed on a stretcher from her flat in the upscale Retiro neighbourhood on 23 September. The property had been rented by her father since 1956, and Abascal remained as a tenant after her parents died under a rent cap. Urbagestión, which bought the building in 2018, increased the rent from €500 to €2,650 per month, then offered to reduce it to €1,650 -- still €300 more than her monthly pension.

Her eviction drew tens of thousands of protesters to the streets and led Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to call an early election for 29 November after parliament rejected decrees aimed at curbing evictions and limiting rent pressures. Trade unions have also announced a nationwide general strike over housing issues on 11 November.

"All my love to Maricarmen's family and loved ones," Sánchez said in a post on X. "A hug as well to all of us who feel this loss as our own today."

Union spokesperson Alicia del Río said: "Speculation costs lives, and today rentierism has finished killing our colleague Maricarmen," but added that "her memory lives on with us."

Protesters who had been camped out in Madrid's Sol square held a minute of silence after hearing the news. The tenants' union said people were left with "the example of the fight she waged and the legacy Maricarmen has left behind," and quoted her as saying: "Fight, keep fighting for what is yours."

Spain's territorial policy minister, Angel Victor Torres, said Abascal had become a symbol of what was happening to many families as elderly and young people struggled to stay in their homes.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Her death has intensified anger over Spain's housing crisis, which has already triggered nationwide protests, a general strike, and early elections.
The case highlights the vulnerability of long-term tenants in markets where rents have soared, a problem affecting many countries.
The political fallout is immediate: the crisis has fractured the coalition government and forced an election campaign dominated by housing affordability.

Background

Spain has seen a surge in housing costs in recent years, driven by factors including tourism-driven short-term rentals, foreign investment, and a shortage of social housing. Long-standing rent-controlled tenancies have been phased out or bought up by investment firms, leading to sharp increases for elderly tenants. Abascal's case became a national symbol when images of her being carried out on a stretcher went viral.

Key Perspectives

Tenants' unions and protesters: They blame "rentierism" and speculative investment for making housing unaffordable. They argue that political measures have failed to protect vulnerable tenants and that the crisis requires structural reform. Prime Minister Sánchez and the government: They have expressed sympathy and attempted to pass emergency legislation, but failed due to parliamentary opposition. The call for early elections is an attempt to seek a mandate for housing reforms. Critics and skeptics: Some argue that rent controls can discourage supply and that market solutions are needed. Property owners and investment firms like Urbagestión maintain that they are acting within legal rights.

What to Watch

The general strike on 11 November and the scale of participation.
The early election campaign and whether housing becomes the defining issue.
Any legislative action or policy proposals from parties ahead of the 29 November vote.

Sources

Spanish pensioner whose eviction sparked protests dies — Just In
Spanish pensioner whose eviction sparked nationwide protests dies, union says — BBC News