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[POLITICS] · Spain · 32 sources

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Spain housing crisis: Death of evicted woman sparks national protests

The death of Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old disabled woman, has become a symbol of Spain’s intensifying housing crisis. Abascal, who had lived in her Madrid apartment for over 70 years, died in the hospital on October 7 following a forced eviction on September 23. The eviction occurred after real estate investors acquired her building and increased the rent from approximately $572 to $3,020 per month.

Her death has triggered widespread social unrest, including massive protests in Madrid and a long-term encampment of over 1,200 tents in Puerta del Sol. Activists and tenants' unions are demanding urgent housing reforms to combat real estate speculation and protect vulnerable residents. The situation has escalated into a significant political crisis, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez facing intense scrutiny over existing housing laws and the perceived failure of the state to protect citizens from predatory market practices.

In response to the growing public indignation, the political landscape has shifted, with discussions of a snap general election on November 29. The crisis highlights broader economic trends in Spain, where rising property costs and rental prices have outpaced wage growth, making housing increasingly inaccessible for many citizens.

Entities

Madrid · Maricarmen Abascal · Pedro Sánchez · Puerta del Sol · Spain · Urbagestión

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

A propósito de Maricarmen [www.elconciso.es]
El desahucio Maricarmen [www.noticiasdealmeria.com]
Viviendas y gobiernos [lavozhispanact.com]
El desahucio - El Diario de Hoy [www.eldiariodehoy.com]
El coste del Estado [www.eldiariodehuesca.com]