Maricarmen Abascal

Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman, has become a focal point in Spain's ongoing housing crisis following her eviction from her lifelong home in central Madrid. After residing in the property for 70 years, Abascal was removed by police on a stretcher, an event captured in widely circulated images. This incident has ignited widespread public outcry, with thousands marching in Madrid to protest the eviction and demand better tenant protections. The eviction has thrust Spain's housing affordability and tenant rights issues back into the national spotlight, particularly ahead of a general election. Abascal's case highlights the perceived political paralysis in addressing the chronic housing shortage and its impact on vulnerable populations, making her a symbol of the struggle against gentrification and housing insecurity in Spain.