Madrid protest camp grows after 87‑year‑old eviction
The eviction of 87‑year‑old Maricarmen Abascal from her Madrid flat triggered a large protest camp in the city’s Puerta del Sol. Tens of thousands gathered to demand stronger tenant protections amid a broader housing crisis that has seen rents double in a decade.
By Felo News Desk · Published
On a Sunday morning in Madrid, the historic Puerta del Sol plaza became the epicenter of a growing housing protest. Hundreds of demonstrators, many of them carrying tents and sleeping bags, set up a makeshift camp in front of the regional administration building after the eviction of 87‑year‑old Maricarmen Abascal from her lifelong home. The eviction, carried out by a real‑estate investment fund that had raised the rent by 275 %, has become a symbol of Spain’s spiralling housing crisis.
From a single eviction to a city‑wide outcry
Maricarmen Abascal had lived in the same apartment for 70 years. When the property was acquired by a corporate investor, the rent was slashed to €2,650 per month – a 230‑plus percent increase that the elderly woman could not afford. Police were called to remove her from the flat on a stretcher, an event that was captured on video and shared widely on social media. The footage sparked outrage across the country, with many seeing the eviction as a “canary in the coal mine” for a market that has become detached from the average Spanish income.
Massive turnout and the rise of a protest camp
Government figures put the Saturday protest at around 25,000 participants, while the Madrid Tenants’ Union claimed that over 300,000 people had taken part in the city’s street demonstrations. The next day, the Union urged residents to join the new camp, which quickly grew to about 100 tents spread across the plaza. Protesters declared they would stay until housing was treated as a basic right rather than a market commodity. One 28‑year‑old protester, who identified himself only as Sergio, said, “We’ll stay as long as necessary. Even as we mobilise the pressure keeps mounting, and we’re already at our limits.”
Spain’s housing numbers and the political backdrop
According to the Bank of Spain, the country – home to roughly 50 million people – is short of 700,000 homes. The shortage is driven by a combination of rising demand from tourism and immigration, a lack of public housing, and a rental market that has seen prices double over the last decade. The situation has become a political flashpoint ahead of the general elections next year.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has faced repeated criticism for not doing enough to curb evictions. While his government has passed some tenant‑protection measures in 2023, regional authorities led by the People’s Party have resisted implementing parts of the legislation. The current crisis has also exposed divisions within the ruling coalition, with the junior partner Sumar calling for a package of rent freezes and the expropriation of properties like Abascal’s.
Calls for legislative change and the “Maricarmen decree”
In response to the outcry, the government is expected to introduce a package of measures dubbed the “Maricarmen decree” at its next cabinet meeting. The proposed package would automatically renew rental contracts and impose stricter limits on evictions. However, the decree’s fate is uncertain, as Sánchez’s government lacks a parliamentary majority. Earlier this year, a similar bill was defeated, underscoring the political gridlock surrounding housing policy.
Broader social and economic implications
Housing affordability has become the top concern for Spaniards, according to political scientist Cristina Monge. The eviction of Abascal highlights a broader trend: the market is increasingly dominated by investment funds and “vulture funds” that raise rents to levels unaffordable for many residents. The situation has also reignited debates about the role of public housing, which accounts for only 2.5 % of Spain’s total stock compared with 14 % in France and 34 % in the Netherlands.
Labor unions and human‑rights advocates have called for a tax system that would make hoarding homes unprofitable. The United Nations special rapporteur on the right to housing, Koldo Casla, urged Spain to amend its legal framework, arguing that the profitability of real‑estate companies should not override tenants’ rights.
What happens next?
The protest camp in Puerta del Sol is expected to remain in place for several days, if not weeks, as demonstrators demand concrete policy changes. The government’s next steps will be closely watched by political analysts, tenant unions, and the general public. Whether the “Maricarmen decree” will be approved, and how it will reshape Spain’s housing market, remains to be seen. Meanwhile, the story of Maricarmen Abascal continues to serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of a market that has moved away from the needs of ordinary citizens.
Key facts
- Eviction of 87‑year‑old Maricarmen Abascal sparked nationwide protests
- Hundreds of tents set up in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol as a protest camp
- Spain faces a shortage of 700,000 homes, with rents doubling in a decade
- Government plans a “Maricarmen decree” to protect tenants, but political gridlock remains
- Housing affordability is the top concern for Spaniards, driving political debate
Why it matters
The eviction of an elderly woman and the subsequent protest camp spotlight a systemic housing crisis that threatens the stability of Spanish society and the fairness of its urban development.
Frequently asked questions
What triggered the Madrid protest camp?
The eviction of 87‑year‑old Maricarmen Abascal from her Madrid flat after a 230‑plus percent rent hike.
How many people attended the protests?
Government figures cited around 25,000 participants on Saturday, while the Madrid Tenants’ Union claimed over 300,000.
What is the “Maricarmen decree”?
A proposed package of measures to automatically renew rental contracts and impose stricter limits on evictions.
Why is Spain’s housing crisis significant?
It reflects a shortage of 700,000 homes, rising rents, and a market dominated by investment funds, impacting everyday citizens.
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com
- [2] theguardian.com
