Protests, debate follow death of Maricarmen, 87, Spain protest symbol | Housing News
Thousands Honor Maricarmen Abascal as Parliament Debates Housing Crisis
Published on Oct. 9, 2026
Thousands of protesters gathered outside Spain’s parliament on Thursday to honor the memory of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, whose recent eviction has sparked nationwide demonstrations and a forthcoming snap general election. Abascal’s eviction from her Madrid home on September 23 prompted widespread outrage among citizens and policymakers alike.
Abascal passed away on Wednesday after suffering from severe anxiety and exhaustion following her eviction. Although she had reached an agreement to return to her home while hospitalized, she died before she could do so. The official cause of death has not been disclosed.
Diana, a demonstrator among the thousands outside parliament, expressed her sorrow, telling Al Jazeera, “They killed her through heartbreak. Taking an 87-year-old woman out of her home after she had lived there for 70 years is killing someone.”
Mourners paid tribute to Abascal by leaving flowers, candles, and handwritten notes outside her building. Protesters chanted slogans, declaring, “They’re not deaths; they’re murders,” as they marched from a protest camp in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol square to Abascal’s former residence.
The eviction and its aftermath have intensified discussions about housing shortages and skyrocketing rental costs in Spain. In response, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a snap general election slated for November 29, after the parliament failed to pass emergency housing measures.
Inside the legislature, tributes to Abascal led to contentious exchanges as lawmakers criticized one another for allegedly politicizing her situation. Alberto Nunez Feijoo, leader of the conservative People’s Party (PP), accused Sanchez and the Socialist party of leveraging the housing crisis for electoral advantage.
“We will not allow this attempt to manipulate the emotions of the Spanish people,” Feijoo stated, pointing out that these issues have emerged during the Socialists’ eight-year tenure in office.
The PP, which holds majorities in both the Madrid regional and local assemblies, declined to observe a minute of silence in Abascal’s honor. In contrast, left-leaning deputies organized a moment of remembrance outside City Hall and presented a 60-second standing ovation for Abascal during a tense regional assembly debate.
Critics from left-leaning parties have also condemned conservative lawmakers for blocking legislation aimed at addressing rising rental prices.
A recent survey conducted by the state pollster CIS revealed that 76.3 percent of Spaniards support government intervention in the housing market to ensure access to affordable housing. Moreover, 79 percent of respondents believe the right to housing should take precedence over treating homes as a commercial commodity.
Ombudsman Angel Gabilondo emphasized that combating the housing crisis will require commitment from all levels of government. His office is currently preparing a report on housing, outlining proposals to expand public housing, restrict tourist rentals, increase rent assistance, and strengthen protections against evictions for vulnerable households.
