María del Carmen Abascal, the 87-year-old pensioner whose eviction from her Madrid home of 71 years sparked nationwide protests, has died in hospital. Her death was confirmed on Wednesday, October 7, following her removal from the property in September.
Death prompts tributes and protests
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez led condolences on social media after housing activists and Abascal's lawyer announced her death. "All my love to Maricarmen's family and loved ones," Sánchez wrote on X. "A hug as well to all of us who feel this loss as our own today. Rest in peace."
After learning of her death, protesters gathered near Spain's Parliament, chanting "Maricarmen lives, the fight goes on!" Iciar López, a 32-year-old psychologist, said: "[I am feeling] A great deal of sorrow. And above all, the thought that she is the cause, the head of this whole revolution that has happened, and that she can't see it."
Eviction and its aftermath
In September, Abascal, who used a wheelchair, was carried on a stretcher from her home after police cordoned off the street and removed protesters. She was taken to hospital because of her fragile health. Televised images of the eviction prompted thousands to protest in Madrid and other cities.
Her lawyer, Beatriz Duro, did not disclose the cause of death when confirming it to Cadena Ser radio. "Maricarmen's case, which captured media attention and traveled around the world, leaves us the image of the shameful violence of these types of evictions and the impact they can have on people's health," Duro said.
Political impact
The real estate company that evicted her to rent the property at a higher price eventually agreed to let her return. "Although a historic agreement was reached that would have allowed her to return home, this solution came too late," the Madrid Tenants' Union said in a statement. "It was an entirely avoidable situation following a harrowing ordeal."
The average rent in Spain has almost doubled in the last 10 years, according to real estate website Idealista. Spain's government said 26% of Spaniards who rent spend an average of 40% of their income on rent and utilities, compared with the EU average of 18%.
Abascal's plight galvanized a social movement, prompted Spain's unions to announce a general strike next month, and intensified pressure on political leaders. Sánchez called an early election Monday after his government failed to push emergency housing measures through Parliament. Housing Minister Isabel Rodríguez wrote on X: "I deeply lament the death of Maricarmen. My condolences to those who accompanied her and fought by her side until the end."
Conservative opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo also offered condolences. "I want to express my condolences to Maricarmen's family and loved ones. No campaign, no party, no use for political advantage," the Popular Party leader wrote. "When faced with the death of a person, we must only show respect."
