Madrid pensioner whose eviction sparked nationwide Spanish protests dies aged 87

Maricarmen Abascal, an 87 year old pensioner whose eviction triggered nationwide demonstrations across Spain, has died, the BBC reported, citing the Madrid tenants union. She passed away on October 7 2026 after being admitted to hospital following her removal from her home. [1]

The BBC reported that police forcibly removed Abascal on a stretcher on September 23 2026 from the Madrid apartment where she had lived for more than 70 years. She was evicted after being unable to pay rent increases. The corporate landlord later offered to let her return under a lower rent agreement, but her deteriorating health prevented her from signing the contract. [1]

Her eviction intensified public outrage over affordable housing in Spain. Public anger was already high following a controversy involving a luxury penthouse purchase by Madrid premier Isabel Díaz Ayuso and the suicide of evicted resident Olga Matute in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat earlier that month. Demonstrators subsequently set up an organized protest camp at the Puerta del Sol square in Madrid on September 26. [2]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, the Spanish government approved 21 urgent housing measures in response to the growing unrest. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also called a snap general election for November 29 2026. [3]