Maricarmen Abascal Dies, Cementing Her Status as the Face of Spain’s Housing Crisis
María del Carmen Abascal, the 87-year-old pensioner whose forced eviction from her Madrid home ignited a national housing crisis, has died. Her death, occurring weeks after she was removed from her apartment by police, has intensified public anger and solidified her status as a symbol of the struggle against rising rents. The tragedy has accelerated political turmoil, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez calling a snap election for November 29 after his government failed to pass emergency housing reforms. While a late agreement allowed her to return to her home, she passed away before it could take effect, prompting widespread mourning and renewed calls for systemic change across Spain.
