Spanish pensioner's eviction sparks nationwide protests, sparks early election call

A 87-year-old Spanish pensioner, Maricarmen Abascal, lost her life on Monday as authorities forcibly removed her from her apartment amid a nationwide demonstration against Spain's worsening housing crisis. The eviction had ignited a firestorm of public discontent, with hundreds of thousands of protesters flooding city streets over the weekend.

Abascal had been a tenant of the apartment for over 70 years. However, the company that owned the flat, Urbagestión, increased the rent from €500 to €2,650, leaving her unable to afford it. Despite three previous attempts to evict her, the courts had blocked the eviction.

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However, the company later offered to reduce the rent to €1,650, still €300 more than Abascal's monthly pension.

Abascal's case had become a symbol for Spain's housing crisis. This has been exacerbated by the country'It was economic crisis and a lack of affordable housing. The government had proposed emergency housing legislation, but it was rejected in Congress last week.

This led to further protests and calls for an early election.

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"We regret to announce that Maricarmen passed away today," said the Madrid Tenants' Union. "Speculation costs lives, and today rentierism has finished killing our colleague Maricarmen." Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also paid tribute to Abascal, saying "All my love goes to Maricarmen's family and loved ones."

Following Abascal's death, the Madrid Tenants' Union called for a general strike on November 11, demanding housing reforms. The government has announced an early election for November 29, which is expected to be closely watched by the international community.