Abascal to return home after deal, but Spain faces housing crisis

Key points

• Maricarmen Abascal, 87, will return to her Madrid apartment after her lawyer reached a deal with landlord Urbagestión, avoiding a rent increase from €1,650 to €2,650 per month.
• The eviction on September 23 sparked massive protests, including a tent camp in Puerta del Sol, with tens of thousands marching in Madrid and rallies in 16 other cities.
• Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is set to approve a housing decree on Tuesday, but faces political challenges due to his minority government and conflicting demands from coalition partners.
• Critics, including the Madrid Tenants' Union and protesters, argue Abascal's return is a 'sticking plaster' and demand broader reforms, such as rent freezes and eviction bans for vulnerable people.
• Spain faces a housing shortage of 700,000 homes, with rents rising 8.5% in 2025 and house prices up 12.2% in 2026, exacerbating public anger over housing affordability.

Background

Maricarmen Abascal's eviction on September 23, 2026, after living in her Madrid apartment since 1956, became a symbol of Spain's housing crisis. The incident led to widespread protests, a tent camp in Madrid's Puerta del Sol, and pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to address housing affordability. Prior to the eviction, Abascal faced a rent hike from €500 to €2,650 per month by investment firm Urbagestión, which she could not afford with her €1,350 monthly pension. The case highlighted broader issues of housing speculation, rising rents, and a shortage of affordable homes in Spain.

How outlets are covering it

BBC and The Guardian report on the deal allowing Abascal to return home, emphasizing the role of social mobilization. NBC News highlights the force used in the eviction and the broader housing crisis, including gentrification and financialization of housing. Politico focuses on the political pressure on Sánchez, noting the challenges of passing housing legislation with a minority government and conflicting demands from coalition partners. Madrid regional leader Isabel Díaz Ayuso criticizes the government's housing measures as 'sectarian' and 'deeply ideological,' while protesters and tenants' unions demand systemic reforms, not just individual cases resolved.

Why it matters

The case of Maricarmen Abascal underscores the severity of Spain's housing crisis, with a shortage of 700,000 homes and rising rents. The incident has forced the government to act, but the political and social tensions highlight the difficulty of addressing systemic issues like housing affordability and speculation. The outcome may influence future housing policies and public trust in the government's ability to address social issues.

What to watch

The government is expected to release details of its new housing agreement on Tuesday, which will need parliamentary approval. Protests and the tent camp in Puerta del Sol may continue if the legislation is seen as insufficient. The deal for Abascal's return must be signed by her, who is recovering from exhaustion. Further developments in housing policy and public reactions will depend on the government's actions and the effectiveness of the proposed measures.