Eviction of Elderly Woman in Spain Ignites Mass Housing Protests and Policy Debate
The eviction of 87-year-old disabled woman Maricarmen from her Madrid flat, where she had lived for 71 years, has sparked widespread outrage and mass housing protests across Spain. Maricarmen was forcibly removed by riot police after her rent was increased by over 400% by investment fund Urbagestion, making it unaffordable on her limited pension. Images of her eviction, carried out on September 23, led to protests in cities nationwide, including a march of up to 300,000 people in Madrid and protest encampments in Puerta del Sol. The incident has intensified calls for stronger protections against speculative investment and rising rents. In response to the public outcry, Urbagestion has now stated Maricarmen can return to her home under her old rent. The protests have also highlighted the failure of emergency housing reforms in Congress, as two government decrees aimed at extending tenant protections and capping rent increases were rejected.
