Maricarmen, the 87-year-old woman whose eviction triggered major protests, has died in hospital, lawyer says
María del Carmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman whose eviction from her Madrid home became a symbol of Spain's housing crisis, has died in the hospital. Her case sparked nationwide protests and contributed to a significant political crisis in Spain.
Why it matters
The death of a symbolic figure in a national housing movement highlights the intense social and political pressure surrounding affordability and eviction policies in Europe.
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 in the country culminating in the government calling for snap elections, died on Wednesday while hospitalised.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 wrote 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!”“A great deal of sorrow.
Also covering this story
11 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
'Fight goes on’: 87-yr-old woman dies after becoming symbol of Spain housing crisis
María del Carmen Abascal, symbol of Spain’s housing protests, dies aged 87
Evicted Spanish octogenarian Maricarmen Abascal, heart of Spain's housing protests, has died
Evicted pensioner, 87, who sparked Spain housing protests dies
Pensioner whose eviction sparked Spain protests dies
Woman (87) whose eviction sparked Spain housing protests dies
Maricarmen, the 87-year-old woman whose eviction shook Spain, has died
Spanish pensioner whose eviction sparked nationwide protests dies, union says
Spanish pensioner whose eviction sparked nationwide protests dies, union says
Evicted Spanish pensioner at heart of Spain’s housing protests dies
Spanish woman whose eviction ignited housing protests dies at 87
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