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She has short, dark hair and is wearing a cream vest. A holdall bag is on her lap. A woman whose face is out of shot is holding up clothes on a hanger next to Abascal.)    Image source,  Europa Press via Getty Images  Image caption,  Maricarmen Abascal was evicted from her flat in Madrid two weeks ago       By Alys Davies     Published 7 October 2026, 19:54 BST        Updated 35 minutes ago       An elderly woman whose eviction sparked nationwide protests over Spain's housing crisis and a political row that triggered early elections has died, according to Madrid's tenants union.  Maricarmen Abascal, 87, was forcibly removed on a stretcher from her apartment of more than 70 years on 23 September after she was unable to afford rent increases.  The company that owned the flat later offered to allow her to return at a lower rate - but she was unable to sign an agreement as she had been admitted to hospital. "We regret to announce that Maricarmen passed away today," the Madrid Tenants' Union said in a statement, adding her situation marked "a turning point in the history of this country". Union spokesperson Alicia del Río said: "Speculation costs lives, and today rentierism has finished killing our colleague Maricarmen" but "her memory lives on with us". Abascal became a symbol for Spain's housing crisis following her eviction. Her father first rented the property in 1956 and she continued as the tenant after her parents died, during which time there was a cap on the rent. However, Urbagestión, which bought the property in 2018, increased the rent from €500 per month (£428; $572) to €2,650 (£2,280; $3,020). The company later offered to reduce this to €1,650 - still €300 more than Abascal's monthly pension. Three previous attempts to evict her were blocked by the courts and the case has received increasing media attention. Anger over the situation grew, leading to protests and putting pressure on the coalition government to approve emergency housing legislation - (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c623dlk4y75mo) but it was rejected in Congress last week . That led to further protests, (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2kej47095no) with tens of thousands of people taking to the streets in cities across the country over the weekend.      (A demonstrator speaks into a megaphone in Puerta del Sol, Madrid. Two protesters are stood behind him hugging.)    Image source,  Reuters  Image caption,  Protesters gathered at one of Madrid's main squares, Puerta del Sol, following Absacal's death       Referring to the rejected bills, the Madrid Tenants' Union said: "While a historic agreement was reached that would have allowed her to return to her home, this solution has come too late. An absolutely avoidable situation after a torturing process." It said the events surrounding her eviction represented a turning point in the country's history, but added that the cost to get to this point had been "too high". "Above all, we will fulfil what she always asked of us: 'fight, keep fighting for what is yours,'" it said. In a video recorded from her hospital bed following her eviction, Maricarmen said: "I haven't managed to defend my home, but I have fought so that others can learn to fight for what's theirs." "All my love goes to Maricarmen's family and loved ones," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said. "A hug as well to everyone who today feels this loss as their own." Opposition People's Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo also sent his condolences to Maricarmen's loved ones, as he said on X: "No campaign, no parties, no self-interested exploitation. No more stones in the wall. "In the face of a person's death, only respect is in order," he added. Protesters gathered at one of Madrid's main squares, Puerta del Sol, following the announcement of Abascal's death. The site has become a protest encampment over the last two weeks. Protesters in Sol were pictured embracing one another as they lit candles in memory of Abascal on Wednesday evening. Hundreds marched to parliament chanting: "the struggle continues, Maricarmen lives", according to AFP. "Even though she's dead, a struggle has begun that will not stop. It doesn't matter who governs, because they will not stop us," one protester, Nora Boumghait, 25, said.      (People gather in one of Madrid's main squares, Puerta del Sol,  following the death of Maricarmen Abascal. One man can be seen carrying a megaphone as he appears emotional, while others sit crossed legged. Candles have been lit in memory of Maricarmen.)    Image source,  Reuters      Earlier on Wednesday, unions had called a general strike to take place on 11 November, demanding housing reforms. The public outcry over Abascal's situation has led to political turmoil in Spain. On Monday Sánchez, who leads a leftist coalition that does not hold a majority in parliament, called an early election for 29 November. It followed his failure to get the emergency housing legislation through Congress. The political right had argued that the government's attempt to intervene in the housing market would have led to fewer homes being rented and would have raised prices further. Speaking on Monday, Sánchez said he needed "a broader progressive majority" that can "overcome the resistance of the elites" to push through reforms. Other issues not relating to housing, such as numerous corruption scandals linked to his party, and pressures relating to the cost of living and immigration, have also caused him problems. Most opinion polls suggest the conservatives are likely to emerge as the largest party in the next election. However, they would be expected to need the support of the hard-right Vox party to form a government.     (Interactive or visual content)       Additional reporting by Tom McArthur      Related topics  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/c302m85qenvt) Spain        More on this story (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmdx39k49xw0o) Spanish PM Sánchez calls early election after housing protests     Published 2 days ago          (Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who has short grey hair and wears a grey suit and white shirt, speaks in parliament on 3 September.)          (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6vgy55lm8z1o) Dramatic eviction of woman aged 87 highlights Spain's housing shortage     Published 23 September          (Maricarmen, a frail elderly woman, packs a bag with her belongings as she sits in a chair by the door of her flat)                (vertical video collection) The video playlist   Watch our pick of standout clips from across the BBC      Previous     Next         0:49 US Army major to be executed by firing squad. 00:00:49, play video US Army major to be executed by firing squad    (A man with short dark hair and dressed in a US Army suit.)           1:02 What caused this huge ship fire off a Russian seaside resort? 00:01:02, play video What caused this huge ship fire off a Russian seaside resort?    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