Spanish Pensioner at Centre of Housing Protests Dies

Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old Spanish pensioner whose eviction became a symbol of the country’s housing crisis, has died, according to Madrid’s Tenants’ Union. She was forcibly removed from her Madrid apartment on a stretcher on 23 September after being unable to afford a sharp increase in rent.

Abascal had lived in the apartment for more than 70 years. Her rent had risen from €500 to €2,650 a month after the property was bought by a new company, while a later offer of €1,650 was still higher than her monthly pension. Her case sparked protests across Spain and increased pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government to address rising housing costs.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol after news of her death, holding a vigil and lighting candles in her memory. The government’s proposed emergency housing measures were recently rejected in parliament, while Sánchez has called a snap election for 29 November amid growing political divisions over housing and other issues.

Pic courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright