Maricarmen Abascal’s eviction death ignites Madrid housing protests
Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old pensioner evicted from her home in Madrid, died two weeks later in hospital, sparking widespread protests on 8 October. Thousands marched in solidarity, highlighting Spain's ongoing housing crisis amid a political turmoil leading to a snap election.
Brève Publié le (Africa/Lagos, UTC+1) · date de l'événement : 2026-10-08
On 8 October, thousands of people filled the streets of Madrid to mourn María del Carmen Abascal, an 87-year-old pensioner whose eviction from her home two weeks earlier led to her death in hospital on 7 October.
Her death reignited public anger over Spain’s housing crisis, with demonstrators marching from Puerta del Sol to her former residence, carrying her portrait and a funeral wreath. At Cibeles, participants observed a minute of silence, and candles, flowers, and messages were left at a makeshift memorial outside her home.
The Madrid Tenants’ Union praised Abascal’s determination to defend her housing rights, and protesters vowed to continue campaigning for affordable housing. The protests come amid a political crisis in Spain that has resulted in a snap election scheduled for 29 November.