Thousands of people marched through Madrid on Saturday to protest the eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her long-time home. Demonstrators called for stronger protection for tenants amid Spain’s ongoing housing crisis.

Maricarmen Abascal was removed from her Madrid flat on Wednesday after police forced entry. Images of her being carried out on a stretcher quickly spread and brought renewed attention to the country’s housing challenges ahead of the 2027 general election.

Protesters carried banners and chanted slogans demanding measures to control rising housing costs and make evictions harder. One banner warned that anyone could become the next Maricarmen. Abascal herself issued a video message from hospital, where she is being treated for exhaustion, urging people to push for changes in the law.

According to Spain’s main tenants’ union, Abascal had lived in the apartment for 70 years. A real estate company bought the property and raised the rent by 275 per cent to 2,650 euros, forcing her out.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government is under pressure to respond. Officials are expected to approve a package of measures known as the “Maricarmen decree,” which would include automatic renewal of rental contracts and tighter rules on evictions. It remains unclear whether the proposals will gain the necessary support in parliament.

Photo credit: Punch Newspaper