Spain: 87-year-old Spanish woman dies after forced eviction in Madrid

87-year-old Spaniard María del Carmen Abascal, whose eviction sparked mass protests in Spain, has died. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his condolences to their families. "All my condolences go out to Maricarmen's family and their loved ones," Sánchez wrote on X.

Abascal, who was usually called Maricarmen, had been treated in hospital after being taken from her home on a stretcher in late September. She had lived there for seven decades. However, she then received assurances from the homeowner that she could return to her apartment.

The Madrid Tenants' Association spoke of an avoidable situation after a shocking story of suffering. "Although a historic agreement was reached that would have allowed her to return to her home, this solution came too late," the association said.

Maricarmen became a symbol of the housing crisis

The eviction sparked days of protests in Spain. Tens of thousands demonstrated across the country against high rents, a lack of housing and inadequate protection against evictions. Demonstrators in Madrid's Puerta del Sol square observed a minute's silence after learning of the elderly woman's death.

Last Friday, the Spanish Parliament rejected a government package of measures to combat the housing shortage. Sánchez then announced early elections for November 29th. The parties in the left-wing coalition government, which are currently behind in the polls, hope that the outrage of many citizens about the situation on the housing market can help them gain a majority.

General strike in November

The major Spanish trade union confederations set November 11th as the date of the already announced general strike for higher wages and against the housing crisis. This was also discussed with the tenant organizations, the UGT trade union federation said on X. The nationwide strike is scheduled to take place just 17 days before the new election scheduled for November 29th.

"For a decent wage, for a roof over our heads and for prices to stop overwhelming us," the CCOO had written on Platform The Spanish employers' association CEOE described the planned strike as "unacceptable" and questioned its legality. It was obviously a “political strike.”