87-Year-Old Woman Who Had Been Evicted from Her Home Dies in Spain

Maria del Carmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman, died in Spain after being evicted from her home where she had lived since 1957. The incident occurred in Madrid's Retiro neighborhood and sparked nationwide protests against the Spanish government's handling of the housing crisis.

Pedro Sanchez, the country's president, initially proposed two decrees to address the issue, but they were rejected by the Congress of Deputies. The rejection led to Sanchez's decision to call early elections. Maria was evicted from her apartment after a significant rent increase from 500 euros to 2,650 euros.

Although a historic agreement was reached to allow her to return to her home, it came too late for Maria. The Madrid Tenants' Union expressed regret over her passing and noted that the solution was rendered ineffective due to her declining health.

Upon her eviction, Maria was transported to a Madrid hospital due to her inability to pay the exorbitant rent increase imposed by the property owner. Her eviction sparked outrage among Spaniards, with many viewing it as a symbol of the broader housing crisis in the country. Hundreds of people camped near the Congress headquarters in solidarity with Maria, and the gesture was later replicated in various Spanish cities.

Sanchez expressed his condolences to Maria's family and expressed solidarity with those affected by the housing crisis. The Tenants' Union highlighted Maria's long legal battle and emphasized the importance of continuing the fight for housing rights. They concluded by urging Spaniards to "fight, keep fighting for what is yours," as Maria had always urged them to do.