Wohnungsnot: Ärger über Wohnungsnot setzt Spaniens Regierung unter Druck

Massive protests erupted in Madrid over the eviction of an 87-year-old woman, Maricarmen Abascal, who had lived in her apartment for 70 years. The demonstration, demanding an end to Spain's growing housing crisis, attracted tens of thousands of participants. The protest's slogan, "Ni una Maricarmen más" ("No more Maricarmen"), specifically targeted her eviction.

The Ministry of the Interior reported approximately 25,000 attendees, far below the organizers' estimate of 300,000. Hundreds camped overnight in the central Puerta del Sol square, a popular tourist spot. The demands ranged from better protection against forced evictions to legal measures against rising rents, housing as an investment, and strengthening tenant rights.

The incident triggered protests following Maricarmen's forced removal from her apartment, despite her resistance. She had been living there since 1956, after inheriting the lease from her parents. The new owners won a court case, removing her from the property and relocating her to a hospital. Despite her limited mobility and 50% disability, she vowed to continue fighting for housing rights.

Protesters set up a camp near Puerta del Sol, reminiscent of the 2011 15-M movement, which advocated for political participation, social justice, and an end to corruption and austerity. Demonstrators criticized both the central government of Pedro Sánchez and conservative regional governments, like Madrid's Isabel Díaz Ayuso, for the housing crisis.

They called for automatic renewal of leases, stronger protection against forced evictions, rent freezes, and reforms to tenant rights laws. The protest drew participants of various ages, including families, young people, and pensioners. Simultaneous marches took place in eleven other Spanish cities. In the days following the demonstrations, the government worked on passing a new housing policy decree, which would take immediate legal effect but required parliamentary approval within 30 days.