Maricarmen: Eviction of woman aged 87 highlights Spain's housing shortage

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Madrid eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen sparks national housing protests

   Spanish authorities forcibly evicted Maricarmen, a disabled 87-year-old woman, from a Madrid home she occupied for 71 years. The removal, which involved police using teargas on protesters and transporting the tenant via stretcher, has triggered widespread protests and a political crisis. While Madrid regional president Isabel Diaz Ayuso maintains the eviction was legal, opposition parties are demanding the reactivation of anti-eviction decrees and the expropriation of the apartment. The incident has become a focal point for criticism regarding Spain's broader housing shortage and rent increases.

   Why it matters

   The eviction follows a sharp increase in rent prices for the tenant. It has forced the Spanish government into urgent discussions with political partners, including Junts, regarding emergency housing laws.

   What is confirmed

   • Maricarmen, a disabled 87-year-old woman, was forcibly evicted from her Madrid home after living there for 71 years.
   • Police used teargas against protesters during the eviction process.
   • The eviction triggered protests in Madrid and drew international media attention.
   • Madrid regional president Isabel Diaz Ayuso stated the eviction was in accordance with the law.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Sarah Santaolalla described the eviction as a national disgrace following a rent price spike.
   • Podemos is demanding the reactivation of the anti-eviction decree.
   • A deputy from Sumar has requested the resignation of the Minister of Housing if the apartment is not expropriated.
   • The Spanish government is in urgent talks with Junts and other partners over a new emergency housing law.

   What to watch next

   • Decision by the Minister of Housing regarding the expropriation of the apartment
   • Outcome of government talks with Junts over emergency housing legislation
   Sources used for this update (14)

   1. BBC — Maricarmen: Eviction of woman aged 87 highlights Spain's housing shortage
   2. The Guardian — Police use teargas on protesters as disabled woman, 87, evicted from Madrid home
   3. Reuters — Dramatic eviction of 87-year-old Madrid tenant spotlights Spain's housing crisis
   4. Demócrata — Sira Rego questions the ownership of the funds in the face of evictions like that of Maricarmen: "It is painful"
   5. Demócrata — Podemos denounces police violence against activists for the eviction of Maricarmen and demands to reactivate the anti-eviction decree.
   6. Demócrata — A deputy from Sumar requests the resignation of the Minister of Housing if she does not expropriate Maricarmen's apartment after her eviction.
   7. Spanien Press — 87-year-old evicted from her apartment after 71 years!
   8. El Constitucional — Sarah Santaolalla, loud and clear about the eviction of Maricarmen, 87, after her rent price was shot up: "It's a national disgrace"
   9. dw.com — Eviction of 87-year-old woman sparks housing protests in Madrid
   10. Euronews.com — Spain: Protests after 87-year-old woman evicted from home by force
   11. russpain.com — Maricarmen eviction forces government to act on housing crisis
   12. russpain.com — Madrid eviction triggers scramble over Spain's housing law
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