LATEST: Spain's lawmakers to vote on housing measures as protests rage

In Spain, thousands of individuals joined protests against the eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman, from her home in Madrid. Maricarmen had resided in the residence for over 70 years, having paid protected rent. Authorities forcibly removed her using a stretcher after a court ruling, sparking widespread outrage among housing activists. The protesters marched through Madrid, set up camps in Puerta del Sol, and organized demonstrations in various Spanish cities.

The protests arose because Maricarmen's eviction was perceived as a symbol of the broader housing crisis in Spain. Rising rents and a scarcity of affordable homes have led to fears that tenants cannot afford to remain in major cities. The situation has become a contentious issue, fueled by misleading claims and selective editing.

One prevalent claim is that Maricarmen's eviction was illegal. However, this is false. The eviction was authorized by courts after a protracted dispute over a protected rental contract dating back to the 1950s. The court upheld Urbagestión's position, ruling that the second transfer of the lease could continue for only two years unless Maricarmen had a recognized disability above 65 years old. Since the courts recognized her disability at 50 years old, the eviction was deemed lawful.

The protesters' objective is not to dispute the legality of the eviction but to question its fairness. This stems from the fact that under Francisco Franco's dictatorship laws, married women could not legally sign financial contracts or property leases independently. Maricarmen's mother could only inherit the lease by subrogation upon her husband's death. Had she been a co-owner or co-signer from the beginning, Maricarmen would have inherited the lease, legally protecting her right to live in the home for life.

The protesters also highlight that Maricarmen is 87 years old, has lived in the property for over 70 years, and continued paying her protected rent. After the old tenancy ended, Urbagestión, the property management company, proposed a rent of approximately €1,650 per month, significantly higher than the €440 to €500 Maricarmen had previously paid. This raised rent, combined with Maricarmen's monthly pension of around €1,350, forced her out of the home as she could not afford the new rent.

Protesters are advocating for stronger protections against evictions of vulnerable tenants, longer rental contracts, and stricter limits on rent increases. Some groups also call for stricter regulations on speculative housing practices and increased public involvement in the rental market. They are pushing for new protections for vulnerable tenants and longer lease terms, prompting parliament to consider approving these measures.

Some misleading claims circulating online include alleging that the Sindicato de Inquilinas, Spain's main tenant union, prevented Maricarmen from reaching an agreement with the owner before the eviction. However, Urbagestión denies this, stating that the union made it difficult to contact Maricarmen directly, while Maricarmen's lawyer claims the opposite: that the company refused repeated attempts to negotiate.

Urbagestión has also accused individuals involved in the dispute of coercion, extortion, and hacking phones and email accounts, but these claims lack evidence.

Another misleading assertion comes from a shortened video of Maricarmen herself, who appears to blame Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for her situation. However, the full interview reveals that she also criticizes Madrid regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso, Madrid mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida, and Urbagestión itself. This shows that the quote was taken out of context.

The agreement reached with Maricarmen allows her to return to the apartment once she leaves the hospital, paying around €500 per month, capped at 30% of her income. This new tenancy does not overturn the court ruling that ended her old, protected lease. Spain's government has proposed measures to extend some eviction protections and lengthen rental contracts, but parliament must still approve these changes. The protests continue, with activists pushing for broader reforms to Spain's housing system.