Spanish pensioner whose eviction sparked nationwide protests dies, union says

7 October 2026, 19: 54 BST. Updated 6 minutes ago.

Key points

• It purchased the property in 2018, rose the rent from €500 per month (£428; $572) to €2, 650 (£2, 280; $3, 020).
• The firm afterwards offered to reduce this to €1, 650 – still €300 more than Abascal's monthly pension.
• Maricarmen Abascal, 87, was forcibly removed on a stretcher from her apartment of more than 70 years on 23 September after she was unable to afford rent increases.
• "All my love goes to Maricarmen's family and loved ones, " Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez remarked.
• Union spokesperson Alicia del Río remarked: "Speculation costs lives, and today rentierism has finished killing our colleague Maricarmen" but "her memory lives on with us".

In practice, an elderly woman whose eviction sparked nationwide protests over Spain's housing crisis and a political row that triggered early elections has died, according to Madrid's tenants union.

For context, the firm that owned the flat afterwards offered to allow her to return at a lower rate – but she was unable to sign an agreement as she had been admitted to hospital.

"We regret to announce that Maricarmen passed away today, " the Madrid Tenants' Union remarked in an official note, adding her situation marked "a turning point in the history of this country".

Union spokesperson Alicia del Río remarked: "Speculation costs lives, and today rentierism has finished killing our colleague Maricarmen" but "her memory lives on with us". Abascal became a symbol for Spain's housing crisis after her eviction.

Her father first rented the property in 1956 and she continued as the tenant after her parents died, during which time there was a cap on the rent.

Nevertheless, Urbagestión. It purchased the property in 2018, rose the rent from €500 per month (£428; $572) to €2, 650 (£2, 280; $3, 020).

Meanwhile, the firm afterwards offered to reduce this to €1, 650 – still €300 more than Abascal's monthly pension.

Three previous attempts to evict her were blocked by the courts and the case has received increasing media attention.

Anger over the situation grew, leading to protests and putting pressure on the coalition administration to approve emergency housing legislation – but it was rejected in Congress last week.

That led to further protests, with tens of thousands of individuals taking to the streets in cities nationwide over the weekend.

Referring to the rejected bills, the Madrid Tenants' Union remarked: "While a historic agreement was reached that would have allowed her to return to her home, this solution has come too late. An absolutely avoidable situation after a torturing process."

It remarked the events surrounding her eviction represented a turning point in the country's history, but went on that the cost to obtain to this point had been "too high".

"Above all, we will fulfil what she always asked of us: 'fight, keep fighting for what is yours, '" it remarked.

In a video recorded from her hospital bed after her eviction, Maricarmen stated: "I haven't managed to defend my home, but I have fought so that others can learn to fight for what's theirs."

"All my love goes to Maricarmen's family and loved ones, " Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez remarked. "A hug as well to everyone who today feels this loss as their own."

After the announcement of Abascal's death, protesters gathered at one of Madrid's main squares, Puerta del Sol. The site has become a protest encampment for protesters over the last two weeks.

Photos show demonstrators lighting candles and holding posters of Maricarmen at the housing protest camp on Wednesday evening.

Earlier on Wednesday, unions had called a general strike to take place on 11 November, demanding housing reforms.

In practice, the public outcry over Abascal's situation has led to political turmoil in Spain.

On Monday Sánchez, who leads a leftist coalition that does not hold a majority in parliament, called an early election for 29 November. It followed his failure to obtain the emergency housing legislation through Congress.

Meanwhile, the political right had argued that the government's attempt to intervene in the housing market would have led to fewer homes being rented and would have raised rates further.

Speaking on Monday, Sánchez remarked he needed "a broader progressive majority" that can "overcome the resistance of the elites" to push through reforms.

Other problems not relating to housing, such as numerous corruption scandals linked to his party, and pressures relating to the cost of living and immigration, have additionally caused him challenges.

Most opinion polls suggest the conservatives are probable to emerge as the largest party in the next election. Nevertheless, they would be anticipated to need the backing of the hard-right Vox party to form a administration. Extra reporting by Tom McArthur.

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