Spain’s Protesters See ‘Madness’ of Rising Rent and a ‘Martyr’ in Maricarmen

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Published: 2026-10-08T21:45:50.146Z • Permanent link

Thousands of protesters marched in Madrid on Thursday, a day after the death of María del Carmen Abascal, an 87-year-old whose eviction became a symbol of the country’s housing crisis. Maricarmen, who was born in 1937, had been a fixture in the neighborhood for over 40 years, raising her family and tending to her garden. Her eviction, orchestrated by the local landlord, had sparked outrage among the community, who saw her as a local legend and a symbol of the struggle against rising rents.

Maricarmen's story has now become a rallying cry for the anti-eviction movement, which has been gaining momentum in recent months. The protesters, many of whom are young people and families, are demanding action from the government to address the country's housing shortage and rising rents. The movement has been fueled by data showing that over 1 million people in Spain are at risk of being evicted from their homes in the coming months, and that the country's housing crisis is on the verge of spiraling out of control.

The government has been accused of inaction in the face of the crisis, with many critics arguing that the policies put in place to address the issue are too little, too late. The protesters, however, are demanding more radical action, including the establishment of a national rent control system and the creation of a new fund to help low-income families pay their rents. As the protests continue, it remains to be seen whether the government will finally take action to address the crisis.

The crisis in Spain's housing market has significant implications for the country's economy and social fabric. The country's housing shortage is estimated to cost the economy over €10 billion per year, and the crisis is already having a devastating impact on low-income families and vulnerable communities. The protesters are not just fighting for their own rights, but for the rights of the entire country. If the government fails to act, the consequences could be severe, including a wave of evictions and a destabilization of the economy.

The data is clear: the crisis in Spain's housing market is a major problem that requires a major solution. The government has been warned repeatedly of the dangers of inaction, but so far, nothing has been done. The protesters are demanding more than just a token gesture of support – they want real action, and they want it now. As the crisis deepens, it remains to be seen whether the government will finally take the necessary steps to address it.

Spain's housing crisis is part of a larger pattern of economic stagnation and inequality that has been unfolding in the country for years. The crisis has its roots in the global financial crisis of 2008, which left many Spaniards struggling to pay their mortgages and rents. Since then, the country has been struggling to recover, with many areas experiencing high levels of unemployment and poverty.