Eviction of 87-year-old sparks protests in Madrid over housing crisis
The Spanish government is introducing a housing decree and reforms to curb evictions of vulnerable people following widespread outrage over the removal of Maricarmen Abascal. Abascal, 87, was evicted from a home she lived in for 70 years, leading to thousands of protesters establishing an encampment in Madrid's Puerta del Sol plaza. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez vowed to pass the decree on Tuesday. While the government proposes extending eviction bans, these measures require parliamentary approval within 30 days. Abascal's lawyer now states she can return to her home.
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- ✓ Maricarmen Abascal was evicted from her home of 70 years.
- ✓ Protesters established an encampment in Madrid's Puerta del Sol plaza.
- ✓ Thousands of people protested in Madrid demanding stronger tenant protections.
- ✓ Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez promised housing reforms and a decree.
What changed
Prime Minister Sanchez committed to a Tuesday housing decree and proposed extending eviction bans for vulnerable citizens.
Live updates
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Spain Proposes Housing Reforms After 87-Year-Old's Eviction Sparks Protests
The Spanish government is introducing a housing decree and reforms to curb evictions of vulnerable people following widespread outrage over the removal of Maricarmen Abascal. Abascal, 87, was evicted from a home she lived in for 70 years, leading to thousands of protesters establishing an encampment in Madrid's Puerta del Sol plaza. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez vowed to pass the decree on Tuesday. While the government proposes extending eviction bans, these measures require parliamentary approval within 30 days. Abascal's lawyer now states she can return to her home.
Why it matters
The incident has intensified a national reckoning over Spain's soaring real estate market and lack of tenant protections. Multigenerational families joined the demonstrations, signaling broad societal anger over the deepening housing crisis.
What is confirmed
- Maricarmen Abascal was evicted from her home of 70 years.
- Protesters established an encampment in Madrid's Puerta del Sol plaza.
- Thousands of people protested in Madrid demanding stronger tenant protections.
- Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez promised housing reforms and a decree.
- The proposed housing measures must be approved in parliament within 30 days.
Still unconfirmed
- Maricarmen Abascal will return to her home.
- Maricarmen Abascal was left to sleep in a car.
What to watch next
- Parliamentary vote on the housing decree and eviction ban extensions.
- Confirmation of Maricarmen Abascal's return to her residence.
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (33)
- The New York Times — 87-Year-Old Evicted From Her Home Tells Spaniards to ‘Fight’ to Avoid Same Fate
- NBC News — Anger grows across Spain after elderly woman evicted from her home of 70 years
- www.clickondetroit.com — Eviction of 87-year-old sparks encampment protest in Madrid over housing crisis - WDIV Local 4,ClickOnDet....
- CNN — ‘Please fight’: How an elderly woman’s eviction put Spain’s housing crisis in the spotlight
- Euronews.com — Sánchez vows to pass housing decree on Tuesday amid outrage over Maricarmen eviction
- NPR — Eviction of 87-year-old sparks protests in Madrid over housing crisis
- Reuters — Madrid housing protests enter third day after pensioner's eviction
- Yahoo — Madrid housing protesters vow to maintain pressure on government
- Yahoo — Pedro Sanchez promises housing reforms after 87-year-old woman evicted
- RTE.ie — Madrid protests enter third day after pensioner evicted
- Euronews.com — Spain's housing crisis: Key issues behind Maricarmen protests
- Reuters — Vulnerable woman evicted and left to sleep in a car shows depth of Spain's housing crisis
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