Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old Spanish pensioner, has died, according to Madrid’s tenants union.
The union said her eviction from a flat she had occupied for more than 70 years became a symbol of Spain’s housing crisis.
Authorities removed Abascal from her apartment in Madrid’s Retiro district on 23 September. She was taken to hospital on a stretcher.
Abascal had been unable to afford sharp rent increases at the property. The company that owns the flat, Urbagestión, purchased it in 2018. It raised the monthly rent from 500 euros to 2,650 euros.
The owner later offered to let her return at 1,650 euros a month. However, Abascal could not sign the agreement because she had been admitted to hospital.
She was already in fragile health. Abascal received treatment at Gregorio Marañón Hospital.
News of her death spread to Puerta del Sol square in Madrid. Protesters there observed a minute of silence. Dozens of candles were lit around the square.
People placed more candles to form an altar in front of the headquarters of the Community of Madrid government.
Messages left at the scene included “it’s not a death, it’s a killing”, “the fight will continue” and “Maricarmen, the grandmother of the whole country”.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez sent his condolences to Abascal’s family and loved ones. He said the government would need a broader progressive majority to push through housing reforms after its proposals failed in parliament.
Sánchez called early elections for 29 November.
Leader of the opposition People’s Party Alberto Núñez Feijóo also offered his condolences. He appealed against politicising the death and called for respect.
Madrid Tenants’ Union described Abascal’s case as a turning point in the history of the country. The union said her memory would make activists fight harder.
In a video recorded from her hospital bed, Abascal said she had not managed to defend her home but had fought so that others could learn to fight for what was theirs.
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets last weekend in cities across Spain. Protests continued at Puerta del Sol.
A march took place from Puerta del Sol to parliament on Wednesday night. Chants included “we will not tolerate a single eviction more” and “the fight will continue, Maricarmen is still alive”.
Unions had called for a general strike on 11 November to demand housing reforms.
The events highlighted deep political divisions in Spain over housing policy. The government introduced emergency decrees but they were rejected by parliament.
Most opinion polls suggest the conservative People’s Party will emerge as the largest party in the next election. It would need the support of the hard-right Vox party to form a government.
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