87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal to return to her home following protests in Madrid

Protests erupted in Madrid's Puerta del Sol square after the forced eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her apartment in the Retiro district, where she had lived for nearly 70 years. The eviction, captured on video showing police removing the elderly woman on a stretcher, triggered nationwide outrage and a "protest camp" consisting of approximately 100 tents. Demonstrators, organized by groups such as the Carabanchel Housing Union, used the slogan "We are all Maricarmen" to highlight the broader housing crisis in Spain ahead of the 2027 parliamentary elections.

Following days of pressure and public mobilization, a breakthrough occurred on Monday. After four hours of negotiations involving the property owner Urbagestión, the family, the victim's lawyer Beatriz Duro, and the municipal housing agency EMVS Madrid, an agreement was reached for Abascal to return to her home. While she remains in the hospital due to exhaustion caused by the eviction, Abascal sent a message of support to the activists. Her legal representative expressed hope that this settlement might lead to broader changes in Spain's housing policies.