87-Year-Old Woman's Eviction in Madrid Sparks Widespread Housing Crisis Protests
The eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her Madrid apartment, where she had resided for 70 years, has ignited significant protests across Spain. Tens of thousands marched in Madrid, with many camping overnight in Puerta del Sol, demanding stronger tenant protections and an end to evictions. Abascal's eviction on September 23, where she was carried out on a stretcher, became a symbol of the country's escalating housing crisis. The Madrid Tenants’ Union, leading the protests, insists on remaining in the plaza until the government enacts new laws, including indefinite rental contracts. This unrest draws parallels to Spain's 2011 'indignados movement,' which also protested economic issues, including evictions, unemployment, and austerity measures. The building where Abascal lived changed ownership in 2018, and an investment fund, Urbagestión, subsequently raised her rent significantly, which she could not afford on her pension.
