Thousands March in Madrid to Honor Maricarmen After Eviction-Linked Death
Thousands of people are expected to march through central Madrid on Thursday evening to commemorate María del Carmen Abascal, an 87-year-old pensioner whose death occurred shortly after she was evicted from her home. The incident involving Abascal has become a focal point for widespread demonstrations regarding Spain’s housing crisis. Her flat had been purchased by an investment firm that attempted to raise her rent by 230 percent. Abascal passed away in a hospital on Wednesday night, becoming the public face of the struggle against displacement before her death.
The eviction triggered significant unrest across the country, leading to the establishment of a protest camp in the capital and prompting the socialist-led government to propose emergency measures aimed at creating a more equitable rental market. These proposals were rejected by rightwing and far-right parties last week. In response to the legislative defeat, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced a snap general election scheduled for November 29. Anger over Abascal’s situation persisted hours after her death, with a growing memorial forming outside the apartment building where she lived for seven decades.
Visitors to the site left candles, flowers, and handwritten notes expressing gratitude and solidarity. Sara, a 41-year-old attendee, stated that the death illustrates how institutions can fail to protect vulnerable individuals. She emphasized that when protections for residents are weaker than those for investors, such tragedies occur. Jaime, a 34-year-old visitor, described Abascal as a symbol of the fight for decent housing, noting that society had stripped her of respect during her ordeal. He attended the rally to help restore that dignity.
Miguel, a 59-year-old housing campaigner, expressed deep sorrow at the memorial, stating that it is unbelievable when financial interests hold more power than human lives. He hoped her death would mark a turning point in how evictions are perceived, moving beyond statistics to recognize individual stories. Previously, approximately 44 people were forced out of their homes daily, a figure Miguel noted was often treated as mere data by those in power.
The Madrid tenants’ union organized the commemorative march, scheduled to begin at 8pm from the Puerta del Sol square and proceed to Abascal’s former residence. The event aims to honor her memory and highlight the ongoing housing debate. Abascal’s case has intensified scrutiny on the political handling of the crisis. Sánchez offered condolences on social media, while Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the conservative People’s party, initially called for respect without political campaigning. However, Feijóo later accused the government of manipulating emotions by focusing on this specific case.
Political tensions escalated further as rightwing and far-right groups vetoed attempts to observe a minute of silence for Abascal in both the regional parliament and the senate. Meanwhile, the far-right Vox party spread false claims suggesting racial bias in her treatment and questioned the cause of her death. Some figures within the party suggested an autopsy was necessary, alleging potential government involvement. These actions have drawn criticism and highlighted the deep divisions surrounding the housing issue as the nation prepares for the upcoming election.
This report was produced in the Europe Brief News newsroom.
