Spanish Housing Activists Continue Protests Despite Agreement for Evicted Pensioner
Housing rights activists in Madrid are continuing their protests despite an agreement reached for 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, who was evicted from her apartment after living there for seven decades. Her eviction on September 23 sparked outrage and led to protests, including an encampment in Puerta del Sol. The agreement, mediated by Madrid's municipal housing company, stipulates a new eight-year lease with rent not exceeding 30% of Abascal's net income. However, activists from the Tenants' Union view this as an individual solution that does not address the systemic housing crisis in Spain. They are demanding broader measures, including the generalization of indefinite rental contracts to strengthen tenant stability and prevent sharp rent increases or forced displacements upon lease expiry.
