Her case sparked protests across Spain. Maricarmen Abascal is dead
Quick Look
- Maricarmen Abascal, 87, died after being carried on a stretcher from the Madrid apartment her family had rented since 1956.
- The eviction was due to her inability to pay the increased rent, which increased from €500 to €2,650 a month and was later reduced to €1,650, even though the woman's pension was €300 lower.
- The event sparked protests and became a symbol of the housing crisis in Spain.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The premises in Madrid had been rented by the Maricarmen Abascal family since 1956, first by her father and later by herself. The rent was supposed to increase from 500 to 2,650 euros a month, and later was reduced to 1,650 euros, even though the senior woman's pension was 300 euros lower.
The eviction of the 87-year-old took place on September 23 - the woman was carried out of the apartment on a stretcher. The premises in Madrid had been rented by her family since 1956, first by her father and later by herself.
The woman was unable to pay the increased rent. It was to increase from EUR 500 to EUR 2,650 per month. Although this amount was later reduced to EUR 1,650, it was still EUR 300 higher than the senior woman's monthly pension.
The event was widely reported by the Spanish media. The eviction was accompanied by a demonstration during which the police used pepper spray and detained some of the participants. Ultimately, the case of the 87-year-old woman became a symbol of the growing housing crisis in the country and caused a political storm.
Maricarmen Abascal is dead
After the eviction, the owner of the apartment - the investment company Urbagestión - offered the woman the opportunity to return to the premises at a lower rent. However, the senior did not sign the agreement because she was taken to hospital.
"We regret to inform you that Maricarmen Abascal has died," the Madrid Tenants' Association reported on Wednesday, quoted by the BBC. The organization assessed that its history was a "turning point in the history of the country", but the price for this breakthrough turned out to be too high. The union emphasized that a solution enabling the woman to return home had been reached, but it came too late.
After news of the 87-year-old's death, demonstrators gathered in Puerta del Sol, one of Madrid's main squares. This place has been the center of protests for two weeks related to the mixed situation in the country.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Spanish government may introduce temporary restrictions on rent increases in response to public pressure.
Possible · Within months
The number of protests related to the housing crisis in Spain may increase in the coming weeks.
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will Urbagestión face any legal consequences for eviction?
- Will the Spanish government introduce changes to tenancy law after this incident?
- What was the exact cause of Maricarmen Abascal's death?
