Maricarmen Abascal, the 87-year-old woman whose forced eviction became a symbol of Spain's housing crisis and triggered nationwide protests, has died, Madrid's Tenants' Union announced on Wednesday.
Abascal was forcibly removed on a stretcher from her apartment on 23 September after she could no longer afford steep rent increases. She had lived in the property for more than 70 years. Her father first rented it in 1956, and she continued as the tenant after her parents died, during which time a rent cap was in place.
The property was purchased in 2018 by a company called Urbagestión, which raised the monthly rent from 500 euros to 2,650 euros. The increase far exceeded Abascal's monthly pension. The company later offered to reduce the rent to 1,650 euros, still 300 euros more than she received each month.
Three previous attempts to evict her had been blocked by the courts. The case attracted growing media attention and public anger over Spain's housing crisis.
Following her eviction, Abascal was admitted to hospital. The company that owned the flat subsequently offered to allow her to return at a reduced rate, but she was unable to sign any agreement due to her hospitalisation. She did not return home.
"We regret to announce that Maricarmen passed away today," the Madrid Tenants' Union said in a statement, adding that her situation marked "a turning point in the history of this country."
Union spokesperson Alicia del Río said: "Speculation costs lives, and today rentierism has finished killing our colleague Maricarmen," adding that "her memory lives on with us."
The union also said: "While a historic agreement was reached that would have allowed her to return to her home, this solution has come too late. An absolutely avoidable situation after a torturing process."
In a video recorded from her hospital bed following her eviction, Abascal said: "I haven't managed to defend my home, but I have fought so that others can learn to fight for what's theirs."
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez offered his condolences. "All my love goes to Maricarmen's family and loved ones," he said. "A hug as well to everyone who today feels this loss as their own."
Abascal's eviction had already set off a wave of protests across Spain in recent weeks. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in cities across the country over the weekend, demanding emergency housing legislation. That legislation was rejected in Congress last week, fuelling further anger.
Activists have been camping at Puerta del Sol, one of Madrid's main squares, for approximately two weeks. Following the announcement of Abascal's death on Wednesday evening, demonstrators gathered at the site, lighting candles and holding posters bearing her image.
Earlier on Wednesday, unions called a general strike for 11 November, demanding housing reforms.
The Madrid Tenants' Union said the cost of reaching this moment had been "too high," but pledged to honour Abascal's wishes. "Above all, we will fulfil what she always asked of us: 'fight, keep fighting for what is yours,'" it said.
