The eviction of 87-year-old María Carmen Abascal from her residence on Alcalde Sainz de Baranda street in Madrid on Wednesday led to widespread protests in the Spanish capital. María Carmen, who had spent at least 70 years of her life at this location, told reporters during the eviction: "I have lived here for 71 years and I don't want to leave."
Protests in support of María Carmen
Following this eviction, dozens gathered behind police tape, chanting slogans such as "María Carmen, you are not alone" and "Murderers!" This incident reflects the increasing pressures on long-term renters in Spain's major cities, where rental prices have surged in recent years. The phenomenon of commercialization and the shortage of affordable housing have exacerbated public discontent.
Details of the eviction and its consequences
María Carmen had only 30 minutes to gather her belongings before being removed from her home by riot police. She was transported to an ambulance on a stretcher. Reports indicate that she had faced legal challenges since 2018 after a real estate company took ownership of the apartment. This case has been ongoing for eight years and this was the fourth attempt to evict her from this location.
María Carmen's lawyer, Beatriz Duro, stated that the real estate company rejected her legal team's proposals as well as requests to postpone the eviction. The company has not issued any public statement regarding this matter.
Additionally, Alicia del Río, a spokesperson for the Madrid Tenants' Association, announced that a writer who wishes to remain anonymous offered to pay María Carmen's rent, but the real estate company also rejected this offer. Spain remains divided on how to resolve the housing crisis.
The left-wing coalition government of Spain is seeking to strengthen legal protections for renters and implement broader rent controls. However, this government argues that it will be difficult to pass these measures as long as the parliament remains divided. Meanwhile, the regional government of Madrid, led by the conservative People's Party, prefers a more market-oriented approach.
Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the president of the Madrid community, is currently embroiled in a controversy regarding the purchase of luxury properties worth €6.3 million ($7.2 million).
