The death of María del Carmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman who was evicted from her long-term home in Madrid just two weeks before passing away, has intensified focus on Spain’s housing crisis ahead of a snap general election scheduled for late November. Abascal’s case has become a symbol of the broader struggle many Spaniards face with housing affordability and eviction, prompting protests and a temporary encampment in Madrid.

Abascal’s eviction and subsequent death have galvanized the socialist-led government to reintroduce emergency housing measures aimed at improving tenant protections and curbing speculative real estate practices. These proposals, initially rejected by parliament last week with opposition from right-wing and far-right parties, have been revised into two new decrees. The measures include easing the rental and purchase processes, extending eviction protections for vulnerable individuals, banning speculative property acquisitions, and offering tax incentives for both compliant landlords and tenants.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized the necessity of these policies, describing them as common-sense solutions intended to protect small property owners and tenants from large investment firms treating housing purely as a speculative commodity. He highlighted that Spain’s rental prices have increased by 80% over the past decade, exacerbating public concern. A recent poll by Spain’s state centre for sociological research showed strong public support for government intervention, with over 76% backing market regulation to ensure housing access and nearly 80% recognizing housing as a constitutional priority.

Sánchez’s government has also pledged to build 184,000 affordable public rental homes and passed legislation allowing authorities to cap egregious rent increases in certain areas. Despite these efforts, opposition parties argue the government’s record on housing has been inadequate. Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the conservative People’s Party (PP), criticized Sánchez for waiting until the eve of an election to highlight housing as a priority, branding it a government failure. The PP, which leads in opinion polls, has promised to tackle the crisis by increasing housing construction, reducing taxes, and streamlining bureaucracy.

However, the PP’s alliance with the far-right Vox party and the Catalan pro-independence Junts party to block the government’s emergency measures has led to questions about its commitment to addressing housing issues. Vox has responded to Abascal’s death by accusing Sánchez and his administration of exploiting the tragedy for political gain.

As the election campaign unfolds, housing remains a central concern for Spanish voters, with more than 42% identifying it as their primary worry. Trade unions have also scheduled a general strike for November 11 to demand more decisive action on the housing front. While Sánchez seeks to present his administration as the defender of tenants’ rights, his opponents argue that substantive progress has yet to be delivered, setting the stage for a contentious debate in the weeks ahead.

Amid the political tensions, Feijóo condemned attempts to politicize Abascal’s death, calling for respect and unity in the face of personal tragedy. Yet, his campaign launch in the North African Spanish territory of Ceuta, focusing on security issues related to the recent migrant influx, illustrated the broader challenges vying for voters’ attention as the election approaches.