Spain's 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, whose eviction sparked nationwide housing protests, has died. Her death comes as Spain's government faces backlash over its handling of the housing crisis.
Abascal, a Madrid resident for over seven decades, was evicted after an investment firm sought to increase her rent by 230%. The incident led to widespread demonstrations, with tens of thousands of people taking to the streets to demand action on the housing crisis.
The protests have forced Spain's prime minister to call a snap general election after right-wing and far-right parties rejected emergency housing measures. Abascal's death has further intensified public anger, with officials and activists calling for continued pressure on the government to address the crisis.
The tenant union called Abascal's death a 'completely preventable situation' and described her eviction as a 'turning point' in Spain's housing debate, highlighting the deepening crisis and the high human cost of the ongoing conflict.