Evicted Spanish octogenarian Maricarmen Abascal, heart of Spain's housing protests, has died - Reuters

Maricarmen Abascal, an 87‑year‑old resident of Madrid, has died, according to a statement released by the city’s tenants’ union on Wednesday. The announcement confirmed her passing without providing further details about the cause or exact date of death.

Abascal became a prominent figure in Spain after she was evicted from her home earlier this year. Her removal from the property triggered a wave of public demonstrations, with activists and tenants rallying around her case as emblematic of broader housing insecurity.

The protests that followed her eviction grew into large‑scale demonstrations across the country, drawing attention to the plight of renters and the shortage of affordable housing. The unrest contributed to a political crisis that culminated in Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez calling a snap election.

The tenants’ union, which has been involved in organizing the protests, described Abascal as the “heart of Spain’s housing protests” in its statement. The union’s comments highlighted her role in mobilising public opinion on housing rights.

Abascal’s death marks the end of a personal story that had become intertwined with national debates over housing policy and social welfare, and it is likely to be referenced in ongoing discussions about the sector’s challenges.