Spain's housing crisis: Maricarmen eviction sparks protests and decrees

The eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman from her Madrid home of 71 years, has ignited a political and social firestorm over Spain's housing crisis. The case, which occurred on September 23, has led to a large-scale encampment in Puerta del Sol and prompted the government to approve two emergency royal decrees aimed at protecting vulnerable tenants Source: Clarín.

The government's response

The government, led by Pedro Sánchez, approved two decrees on September 29. The first, championed by the PSOE, bans evictions of vulnerable people without alternative housing until 2030 and restricts 'vulture funds' from buying homes below 70% of market value. The second, pushed by Sumar, mandates indefinite automatic renewal of rental contracts unless the owner needs the property for themselves or a close relative Source: ABC. Critics, however, view the dual-decrees as a political maneuver. Columnist Ignacio Camacho argues the government is using the crisis to 'lanzar contra la derecha' and that the decrees are a 'decreto-manifiesto' full of ideology Source: ABC, El Mundo (ES).

Protests and political tensions

The Sindicato de Inquilinas, which organized the Sol protest, considers the measures insufficient, calling for a 'decreto Maricarmen' that includes rent freeze and a ban on all evictions Source: Clarín. Protesters are planning a 'Rodea el Congreso' action on Friday to pressure lawmakers, while police are preparing a 500-600 officer deployment. Simultaneously, the far-right group Núcleo Nacional has called for a counter-protest on Saturday, raising fears of violent clashes Source: abces.

A deeper crisis

Beyond the immediate political drama, the crisis is structural. The Bank of Spain estimates a deficit of 750,000 homes accumulated between 2021 and 2025 Source: elespanol. Meanwhile, the government itself is pursuing evictions in 20 of its own public housing units (Casa 47), a contradiction highlighted by tenants who say they are being forced into the private market Source: elmundoes. The case of Maricarmen has been resolved through municipal mediation, with a new eight-year contract, but the underlying problem of housing affordability remains acute Source: elespanol.