An 87-year-old Spanish woman who was forcibly evicted from her longtime home has become a focal point in the escalating debate over Spain’s housing crisis. María del Carmen Abascal, known as “Maricarmen,” was removed from her apartment in Madrid’s Retiro neighborhood last week after a prolonged police operation. The eviction, which saw her carried out on a stretcher, sparked widespread protests, culminating in the establishment of a protest camp in Puerta del Sol, Madrid’s central plaza.
The eviction drew thousands to the streets in Madrid and inspired solidarity demonstrations in cities including Barcelona, Seville, and Palma de Mallorca. Protesters have called for stronger tenant protections, a ban on evictions when no alternative housing is available, and regulations to curb speculation by investment funds in the real estate market. Activists leading the protests have vowed to continue their demonstrations until they assess the government’s newly announced measures.
Abascal’s case came to symbolize the struggles faced by many Spaniards amid rising housing costs and a shortage of affordable homes. Her family had rented the apartment since 1956 under a Franco-era rental agreement with regulated rent caps, but after the property was acquired by the investment fund Urbagestión in 2018, her rent was increased from roughly 500 euros ($570) a month to amounts exceeding her pension, reaching up to 1,650 euros. Unable to afford these payments, Abascal faced eviction despite having lived in the apartment for nearly 70 years.
Following days of protests, authorities reached an accord with Urbagestión, allowing Abascal to return to her home once discharged from the hospital. Under the agreement, she will pay no more than 30 percent of her income, approximately 500 euros per month. Her lawyer described her as “very happy” about the resolution.
In response to the public outcry, the Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and his Socialist coalition, introduced a series of legislative proposals intended to address the housing crisis. These include extending protection against evictions for vulnerable groups until 2030, regulating short-term rentals, imposing a tax on seasonal accommodations, restricting speculative purchases by investment funds until 2028, and encouraging the construction and protection of public housing. The government also plans tax incentives for landlords who rent to low-income tenants and offers interest-free loans to first-time homebuyers.
Despite these measures, the Madrid Tenants’ Union, which organized much of the recent protest activity, has expressed caution and stated it will review the details of the government’s decree before deciding on the next steps. Meanwhile, the conservative-led regional government in Madrid has requested the clearing of the Puerta del Sol encampment, threatening legal action if the protesters do not disband.
The eviction highlighted broader structural issues affecting Spain’s housing market. While overall evictions have decreased from a peak during the eurozone crisis in 2015, tenant evictions have risen as a proportion of the total. The shortage of affordable housing in urban centers, partly attributed to the growth of short-term rentals, has driven up rents and property prices substantially faster than wages over the past decade.
Abascal and her supporters have publicly criticized local and national authorities, including Madrid’s conservative regional government and Prime Minister Sánchez’s administration, for failing to ensure access to affordable housing. Her case has become emblematic of the tension between market-driven real estate forces and citizens’ demands for secure, affordable homes.