Maricarmen Abascal has died

 

Vilma Strömberg

 

Published 2026-10-07 20:40 | Updated 00:25

Her eviction sparked major housing protests in Spain.

It prompted Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to call a snap election.

Now, Maricarmen Abascal has died.

87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal died on Wednesday.

This was announced by the Madrid tenants' association, reports *la Demócrata*.

On September 23, Maricarmen was evicted from the Madrid apartment where she had lived for over 70 years. Following a drastic rent hike, she could no longer afford to stay. Due to her health condition, she was carried out of the home on a stretcher and taken to the hospital.

Snap election in November

Her family and the tenants' association had subsequently reached an agreement allowing Maricarmen to move back into her home upon her discharge from the hospital. However, she never made it back.

The eviction attracted widespread attention and became a symbol of the protests against rising rents and evictions in Spain.

The housing crisis has also had political consequences. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called a snap election after failing to pass his proposed measures. The election is scheduled for November 29.