Elderly disabled woman evicted after 71 years allowed to return home following protests
- On Monday, September 28, 2026, 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal reached an agreement with investment firm Urbagestión to return to her Retiro apartment under a new eight-year lease, following mediation by Madrid's municipal housing company, EMVS Madrid.
- The reversal follows Abascal's forceful September 23 eviction, which sparked nationwide protests across Spain as video of police removing the long-term tenant on a stretcher circulated widely.
- Crediting "the social mobilisation," lawyer Beatriz Duro stated the new rent will be "similar to what she had been paying," though the agreement remains pending Abascal's signature as she recovers.
- Protesters continue camping at Madrid's Puerta del Sol square, with the Tenants' Union warning that demonstrations will persist to demand stronger tenant protections against the ongoing housing shortage.
- Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is seeking parliamentary backing for new housing relief measures to address the crisis, though his coalition government lacks a majority. Ministers approved proposals on Tuesday aiming to curb soaring rents.
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268 Articles
The Spanish government announced on Tuesday the suspension of evictions from homes until 2030 and the automatic renewal of rental contracts, in an attempt to limit the crisis of housing facing Spain, in full social contest.
The eviction of Maricarmen, the 87-year-old symbol of the protests against the housing crisis and evictions, has moved something not only in the hearts of the hundreds of protesters who have gone down the street for her, but also to the high levels of the government. The decree approved this morning by the parties of the Spanish government provides protection against the [...] The article In Spain no more evictions until 2030: approved the Maric…
As part of these measures, the government also intends to implement the "prohibition of the purchase of housing by vulture funds," according to the Minister of Health.
Mrs Abascal has been paying between 450 and 500 euros a month, a much lower amount than is currently being asked for similar housing in that environment; moreover, it is a similar amount to those paid for a single room in much less attractive areas of the capital of Spain.
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