Thousands march in Madrid over eviction of 87-year-old woman

On Saturday, Madrid witnessed a massive protest as hundreds of individuals gathered to denounce the eviction of an 87-year-old woman named Maricarmen Abascal from her residence she had called home for 70 years. The demonstration, orchestrated by tenants' unions, was fueled by images of Abascal being carried from her flat on a stretcher after police forcibly removed her, drawing nationwide attention to Spain's housing crisis.

Her eviction, following a 275% rent hike to €2,650, has become a potent symbol of the country's escalating housing issues ahead of the 2027 general election.

Abascal, now hospitalized due to exhaustion, delivered a powerful video message urging Spaniards to join the fight against such evictions, pledging to help change the laws that allowed her predicament. She emphasized her desire for her experience to prevent a similar fate for others.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who has previously pledged to prioritize housing, faces mounting pressure to address the crisis. His government is set to approve a series of measures, dubbed the "Maricarmen decree," aimed at automatically renewing rental contracts and imposing stricter eviction restrictions at its next cabinet meeting. However, approval of the package remains uncertain, as it may not secure the necessary parliamentary majority.

Despite a previous attempt to pass a similar bill falling through, Abascal's case has intensified pressure on political parties to take decisive action. The protests have spread across Spain, reflecting the growing concern over the housing situation and the need for protective measures for tenants.