Maricarmen, the 87-year-old woman whose eviction shook Spain, has died
Maricarmen, an 87-year-old woman whose eviction from her Madrid home became a symbol of Spain's housing crisis, has died. Her case sparked nationwide protests and intensified political pressure on the government to address housing affordability.
Why it matters
Her death has galvanized housing activists in Spain, highlighting the human impact of the country's ongoing real estate and affordability crisis.
MADRID — María del Carmen Abascal, the 87-year-old woman whose eviction from her longtime Madrid home sparked nationwide protests across Spain and unleashed a political crisis, died on Wednesday while hospitalized.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez led the way on social media offering his condolences after housing activists and Abascal's lawyer announced her death. Known widely as "Maricarmen," she had become a symbol for renters struggling with Spain's housing affordability crisis.
"All my love to Maricarmen's family and loved ones," Sánchez said in a post on X. "A hug as well to all of us who feel this loss as our own today. Rest in peace."
The emotions ran into anger on the street among the protesters gathered near Spain's Parliament who chanted "Maricarmen lives, the fight goes on!"
Iciar López, a 32-year-old psychologist, shared her feelings with The Associated Press at the protest in Madrid.
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