The death of an 87-year-old Madrid resident whose eviction set off a wave of nationwide anger drew thousands of mourners into the capital’s streets on Tuesday, turning central Madrid into a moving tribute — and a rallying cry over Spain’s deepening housing crisis.
Maricarmen Abascal, who died yesterday, had been hospitalised for severe anxiety and exhaustion since her eviction on 23 September. No cause of death has been announced.
Her case became a flashpoint in protests over scarce housing and rapidly rising rents, pressure that prompted Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to call a snap general election for 29 November after parliament rejected his government’s proposals to address a mounting housing crisis.
As dusk fell, thousands trailed a column of Tenants Union members in orange vests, linked arm-in-arm, carrying a floral wreath from a protest camp in central Puerta del Sol square to Ms Abascal’s former home near Retiro Park.
“They’re not deaths; they’re murders,” the protesters chanted.
Spain has seen several suicides in recent months involving people who had received eviction orders.
With emotions running high, politicians from across the spectrum seized on Ms Abascal’s story, swapping accusations and using her death to attack opponents.
Left-leaning parties directed their criticism at conservatives who voted down legislation in parliament designed to rein in soaring rental prices.
Protesters gather to pay tribute to Maricarmen Abascal in front of her apartment
Right-wing leaders, for their part, argued the leftist central government had failed to solve the problem despite eight years in power.
Alberto Nuñez Feijoo, leader of the conservative opposition People’s Party (PP), said Mr Sanchez and the Socialists were trying to turn the housing emergency into an election weapon.
“We will not allow this attempt to manipulate the emotions of the Spanish people; all of this has happened during their eight years in government. It won’t fly,” Mr Feijoo said.
In the Madrid regional assembly, opposition leader Manuela Bergerot of the leftist Mas Madrid party said Maricarmen — as she has become known across Spain — had died because of “miserable people who put gain above a person’s life.”
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
She said the last thing Madrid regional leader Isabel Diaz Ayuso had done while Maricarmen was alive was “laugh at her” — a reference to Ayuso’s quip on 28 September: “At what age do I get to stop paying my landlords? Let me know.”
Ms Ayuso responded by placing blame on Mr Sanchez, arguing Maricarmen had been evicted under his government.
Word of the octogenarian’s death spread quickly through protest camps in major Spanish cities, where demonstrators chanted that she had been “murdered” because of the greed of her landlords.
Ms Abascal had lived in her home for more than 70 years. After an investment fund bought the building, she lost a prolonged court fight over rent hikes that outstripped her pension income, and she was ultimately evicted.
While she was in hospital, she reached an agreement that would have allowed her to recover her home, but she died before she could return.
“When everything is private, we will be deprived of everything,” read one placard in Puerta del Sol, where mourners gathered to light candles and leave flowers in her honour.
At her building near Retiro Park, tributes accumulated — bouquets, candles, handwritten notes and children’s drawings left by grieving supporters.
“Maricarmen was the straw that broke the camel’s back.. (she was) a symbol of resistance and unity,” said Alex Marinero, a 21-year-old protester.
Maricarmen Abascal died after being evicted from her home last month
Inside the Madrid region’s legislature, the debate over how to commemorate Ms Abascal became another point of conflict, with lawmakers accusing each other of exploiting the case for political advantage.
The PP, which holds absolute majorities in the Madrid regional and local assemblies, rejected calls to observe a minute of silence in her memory.
Hard-left deputies instead held one outside City Hall and later delivered a 60-second standing ovation during a heated session in the regional assembly, while PP representatives stayed seated, arms folded.
Housing is now a mainstream concern for much of the country. A survey carried out in June and published by state pollster CIS found 76.3% of Spaniards supported intervention in the market to guarantee access to housing, while 79% believe the right to housing should take precedence over treating homes as a market commodity.
Ombudsman Angel Gabilondo said resolving the housing crisis would demand stronger action at every tier of government.
He said his office was drafting a housing report and repeated recommendations including expanding public housing, limiting tourist rentals, boosting rent assistance and reinforcing safeguards against evictions for vulnerable households.
