Thousands march in Madrid to protest eviction of 87-year-old woman

The eviction of 87‑year‑old Maricarmen Abascal from the Madrid flat she had occupied for seven decades ignited a massive demonstration on Saturday, when thousands of people marched through the city centre demanding stronger tenant protections. Police had broken down her door on Wednesday and carried her out on a stretcher after a real‑estate firm bought the building and raised the rent by 275 percent to €2,650 a month. Images of the frail woman being removed sparked nationwide outrage, and Abascal, now recovering from exhaustion in hospital, recorded a video urging Spaniards to “fight” and push for legal changes to prevent similar evictions. Organisers claim the protest drew as many as 300,000 participants, while official estimates put the turnout at roughly 25,000.

The demonstration underscores the growing pressure on centre‑left Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose government is slated to consider a “Maricarmen decree” at its next cabinet meeting. The proposed package would automatically renew rental contracts and tighten eviction rules, responding to a broader housing crisis that has become a pivotal issue ahead of the 2027 general election. Spain’s rental market has been strained by soaring costs, a shortage of about 550,000 homes identified by the Bank of Spain, and the proliferation of short‑term tourist rentals and investment funds that limit the supply of affordable housing. Despite previous attempts to curb rent hikes and expand public housing, public rental units now account for less than 2 percent of the national stock, far below the EU average of 8 percent.

The protest adds to a series of recent demonstrations sparked by Abascal’s case, amplifying calls for systemic reform. While Sánchez has pledged to make housing a priority, his minority government faces an uncertain parliamentary path for the new measures, having seen a similar bill rejected earlier this year. The outcome will affect not only vulnerable tenants like Abascal but also the broader Spanish electorate, for whom housing affordability remains a decisive political concern.

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