Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman, died after being evicted from her apartment in Madrid two weeks prior. Her eviction on September 23, which was due to unaffordable rent increases, triggered nationwide protests regarding Spain's housing crisis and led to a political controversy that resulted in early elections. The Madrid Tenants' Union confirmed her death and stated that her situation marked a significant moment in Spain's history.
Abascal was forcibly removed from her home of over 70 years and later hospitalized, preventing her from signing an agreement that would have allowed her to return at a reduced rent. The union's spokesperson, Alicia del Río, expressed that speculation around housing costs has dire consequences, stating, "Speculation costs lives, and today rentierism has finished killing our colleague Maricarmen."
Following her death, a vigil was held in Puerta del Sol, where protesters lit candles and displayed messages such as "it's not a death, it's a killing" and "the fight will continue." A march took place from Puerta del Sol to the Spanish Congress, with participants chanting against evictions and expressing their grievances towards the police's role in enforcing eviction orders.
Abascal's eviction had garnered significant media attention, with her rent being increased from €500 to €2,650 per month after the property was purchased by Urbagestión in 2018. Despite three previous attempts to evict her being blocked by the courts, public outrage led to protests demanding emergency housing legislation, which was ultimately rejected in Congress.
The Madrid Tenants' Union remarked that while a historic agreement was reached to allow Abascal to return to her home, it came too late. They emphasized that the events surrounding her eviction represented a turning point in Spain's history, but the cost was too high. 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."
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed condolences to Abascal's family and the public, while opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo called for respect in light of her death. Unions have announced a general strike for November 11, demanding housing reforms. The political fallout from Abascal's situation has led to Sánchez calling for early elections on November 29, following the failure to pass housing legislation. Polls indicate that the conservative party may emerge as the largest party in the upcoming election, potentially requiring support from the far-right Vox party to form a government.