Eviction of 87-year-old sparks encampment protest in Madrid over housing crisis, tell me about this news in (https://www.nbcnews.com/world/spain/eviction-87-year-old-protests-rcna600079)

The eviction of 87-year-old María del Carmen Abascal (widely referred to as Maricarmen) in Madrid became a major flashpoint, triggering widespread outrage and encampment protests over Spain’s escalating housing affordability crisis.

• 70-Year Residency: Maricarmen lived in her apartment in Madrid’s Retiro district for more than 70 years, originally moving in when her father rented it in the 1950s under historic rent-control provisions.

• The Rent Hike: In 2018, the building was acquired by an investment and real estate fund (Urbagestión). The owner sought to raise her rent from roughly €500 per month to €2,650 (later lowered to €1,650). Because she lived on a modest monthly pension of around €1,350, the sharp increase was unaffordable.

• The Removal: Following a years-long legal battle and multiple failed eviction attempts, police and bailiffs forced entry into the apartment. Because of her age, physical condition, and certified disability, she was carried out of her home on a stretcher and placed into an ambulance while hundreds of supporters protested outside.

• The Catalyst: Video and photographs of an 87-year-old woman being carried out on a stretcher quickly circulated across national and international media, turning her into a symbol of tenant vulnerability.

• Mass Demonstrations: Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Madrid, Barcelona, and other cities under banners such as “You could be the next Maricarmen” and slogans protesting corporate investment in residential properties.

• The Sol Encampment: Following marches through central Madrid, activists and housing rights organizations gathered at the Puerta del Sol square. Protesters pitched tents to establish an encampment, drawing comparisons to Spain’s historic 15-M anti-austerity movement and demanding that authorities halt evictions of vulnerable people when no alternative housing is provided.

• Skyrocketing Costs: Across major Spanish cities like Madrid and Barcelona, rental and purchase prices have outpaced wages significantly over the past decade, exacerbated by short-term tourist rentals, corporate acquisitions, and a critically small share of public social housing (roughly 1% to 2% of total stock).

• Political Fallout: The incident escalated into a national political clash. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez labeled the eviction an unacceptable “social tragedy” and pushed for stricter national tenant protections. Meanwhile, regional conservative leadership contended that property rights and court orders were being upheld and criticized the central government for failing to resolve underlying supply shortages.