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87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal passes away – A symbol of the housing crisis

Maricarmen Abascal, whose eviction sparked nationwide protests in Spain, has died.

7 October 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal passes away – A symbol of the housing crisis — Archive photoPhoto: Privat fotosamling · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman from Madrid, has passed away. According to the Madrid Tenants' Association, she died after being evicted from her home, where she had lived for over 70 years, two weeks ago. During her eviction, she was carried away on a stretcher, which triggered nationwide protests.

The eviction of Maricarmen has sparked a wave of demonstrations across Spain against the ongoing housing crisis. Activists criticized punitive measures against tenants and called for comprehensive reforms in housing. Spain's largest trade unions have since called for a nationwide general strike on November 11.

Reports indicate that Maricarmen Abascal was hospitalized for exhaustion following her eviction. The news of her death comes at a time when debates over housing issues in Spain are more intense than ever. The eviction not only mobilized the tenants' movement but also triggered political controversies.

Union representatives and activists emphasized that Maricarmen has become a symbol of the protests, as her situation has affected many people. Her plight has frequently been covered in the media, contributing to the urgency of calls for reforming rental laws.

The grief surrounding Abascal is palpable on social media and among political representatives. Many people remember her fight and view her fate as a warning regarding the impacts of the housing crisis on elderly people and socially disadvantaged groups.

In summary, the life of Maricarmen Abascal is seen as pivotal to the current discussion regarding housing and social justice in Spain. Her eviction and the associated protests have heightened societal awareness of the problems in the housing market.

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