Spanish pensioner whose eviction sparked nationwide protests dies

Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old Spanish woman whose eviction on September 23 sparked nationwide protests and political instability, has died in a Madrid hospital. Abascal had lived in her apartment for over 70 years before her rent was increased from €500 to €2,650 by the property owner, Urbagestión. Following her eviction, which was carried out by police on a stretcher due to her fragile health, mass protests erupted across Spain, leading to a failed government housing decree and the subsequent calling of snap elections for November 29 by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old Spanish woman whose eviction on September 23 sparked nationwide protests and political instability, has died in a Madrid hospital. Abascal had lived in her apartment for over 70 years before her rent was increased from €500 to €2,650 by the property owner, Urbagestión. Following her eviction, which was carried out by police on a stretcher due to her fragile health, mass protests erupted across Spain, leading to a failed government housing decree and the subsequent calling of snap elections for November 29 by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.