Eviction of 87-year-old sparks encampment protest in Madrid over housing crisis

Madrid witnessed a growing protest camp in Puerta del Sol square on Monday, following the eviction of an 87-year-old resident, Maricarmen Abascal, from her home of 70 years. The eviction sparked outrage over inadequate tenant protections and fueled broader concerns about Spain's housing crisis ahead of an upcoming general election.

Images of Abascal, carried from her flat on a stretcher after police forcibly removed her, highlighted the severity of the situation. The protest, organized by the Madrid Tenants' Union, saw thousands of people march through Madrid's streets on Saturday, demanding measures to control rising housing costs and make evictions more difficult.

One banner read, "You could be the next Maricarmen." The rally's turnout was estimated at around 25,000 by government authorities, while the union claimed over 300,000 participants. After the march, activists established a protest camp in the city centre square, vowing to remain until significant changes occurred. Protester Maria Juarez, a psychologist, emphasized the need for a fundamental shift in the system, stating that demonstrators would not leave until their demands were met.

Police observed the assembly of around a dozen tents in front of the Madrid regional government's headquarters amid a sea of protesters, with the number of tents swelling to approximately 150 by early hours. El Pais reported around 100 tents, while news agency EFE estimated about 100 as well. Abascal's eviction, driven by a real estate firm's acquisition of her property and a 275% rent hike to 2,650 euros, symbolized the struggles faced by many Spanish homeowners.

The union had encouraged Spaniards to join the protest through a video message from Abascal, amplifying the urgency of the housing crisis crisis.