Spain's 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, whose eviction sparked nationwide housing protests, died as tensions over rising rents and housing shortages escalated. Her death has triggered a nationwide general strike and intensified political debates over the crisis.
Abascal, evicted from her Madrid home in September 2026 after a rent increase far beyond her pension, was hospitalized with exhaustion. Her death, confirmed on October 7, has led to protests across Spain, with demonstrators chanting 'This is not a death. It’s a murder!'.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called an early election for November 29, aiming to shift focus from a migrant crisis and corruption scandals to the housing issue. Political leaders have clashed over the crisis, with critics accusing the government of exploiting the situation for political gain.
The death of Abascal has intensified public anger, with protesters blaming 'greedy landlords' and highlighting the human cost of the housing crisis. The issue has become a central political battleground as Spain faces a severe shortage of homes and soaring rents.