87-year-old woman dies in Spain; her case sparked the current political crisis in the country

Maricarmen Abascal was forcibly evicted from her apartment in Madrid, carried out of her home on a stretcher. These events caused tension near the building and became the reason for widespread protests.

Abascal was later allowed to return to her long-time residence. She signed a new eight-year contract with the building owner and continued to pay roughly the same rent as before.

On October 7, the Madrid Tenants' Union reported the death of the 87-year-old woman. Other details have not yet been released.

Maricarmen Abascal lived in the same apartment in Madrid's Retiro district for 71 years — since 1956. She lived under an old, so-called protected lease agreement, which passed within the family from one tenant to another.

The situation changed after the apartment was acquired by the investment fund UrbaGestion. The new owner wanted to significantly increase the rent — reportedly by about 230%. For Abascal, who lives on a pension, this was unaffordable. She refused to leave the apartment.

The case went to court, which ruled that the right to the old preferential lease agreement had indeed expired. In particular, the transfer of the agreement from Abascal's mother to herself was limited by law, and her disability, recognized at 50%, did not provide the additional right to continue the lease that was предусмотрено for people with a higher degree of disability. The Spanish Supreme Court sided with the owner.

Despite this, a campaign in her defense unfolded around Abascal. Neighbors, human rights activists, and the tenants' union tried to negotiate with the owner so that the woman could stay. There were even offers to pay her rent. However, on September 23, the police still carried out the eviction.

Abascal, who was in a very serious condition after the stress, was carried out of her home on a stretcher and taken to the hospital. Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the house at that time, some of whom were pushed back from the entrance by the police.

It was this eviction that transformed a private legal dispute into a nationwide symbol of the housing crisis in Spain. People began to protest not only for Abascal's rights but also against the sharp rise in rent, evictions, and the acquisition of housing by investment companies. A protest camp emerged in Madrid's Puerta del Sol square, and demonstrations also took place in other cities.

After mass protests, UrbaGestion offered Abascal an agreement according to which she could return to her apartment and pay around 500 euros per month — approximately 30% of her pension. But this did not end the political crisis — snap elections were announced in the country, which will be held on November 29.

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