Grandmother Evicted After 70 Years… Spanish Citizens Take to the Streets Over Soaring Rents

Forced Eviction of 87-Year-Old Tenant Sparks Protests
Ongoing Tent Demonstrations Demand Lower Housing Costs, Tenant Protection as Rents Double in a Decade

Public outrage over Spain's housing crisis has erupted following the forced eviction of an 87-year-old woman, bringing tens of thousands to the streets. Protests demanding measures against soaring rents and housing prices have spread from the capital Madrid to cities nationwide, including Barcelona and Valencia.

Madrid, Spain. Citizens demanding measures against soaring rent and housing prices took to the streets. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

Explosion of Anger Over the Forced Eviction of an 87-year-old: Spanish Citizens Take to the Streets

According to foreign media such as the Associated Press and CNN on the 27th (local time), tens of thousands of Spanish citizens marched through downtown Madrid on the 26th, urging the government to lower housing costs and introduce stronger tenant protection measures.

Citizens set up around 100 tents at Puerta del Sol Square, a bustling district of Madrid, and staged an overnight protest. On the night of the 27th, even more people joined, including families.

This protest was sparked by the forced eviction of 87-year-old tenant Maria del Carmen Abascal. Living for over 70 years in Madrid's affluent Retiro district, Abascal was removed on a stretcher on the 23rd after police broke down her door. Footage of the eviction spread across Spain, triggering a wave of public outrage already brewing over rising rent and property purchase costs.

Public sentiment on housing shortages exploded following the forced eviction of an 87-year-old elderly person in Spain. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

According to the Madrid Tenants' Union, Abascal had lived as a tenant in this apartment for over 70 years, since her parents' generation. In 2018, when the ownership of the building changed hands, Abascal was given the opportunity to purchase the apartment, but she was unable to afford it due to her financial situation.

Afterward, the real estate investment company that bought the apartment drastically increased the monthly rent from 500 euros (770,000 won) to 2,650 euros (4.1 million won). Although it was later adjusted to 1,650 euros (2.55 million won), this amount was still unaffordable given Abascal's pension. As a result, she had no choice but to leave the home she had lived in her entire life.

Abascal, who was hospitalized after the eviction, expressed through the Tenants' Union, "I hope what happened to me becomes a turning point so that this does not happen to others," indicating her hope that her case will lead to changes in relevant laws.

Citizens at the protest site expressed frustration at rapidly rising housing costs. Enrique Ortega de Miguel, who lives with his mother, told AFP, "Just finding affordable housing is a struggle, but even then, you have to live in fear of being evicted."

Camping protests continue at Puerta del Sol Square. Photo by AFP News Agency

Rents Double in 10 Years... Housing Crisis Emerges as Key Political Issue

In major Spanish cities, chronic shortages of housing supply have combined with the expansion of the tourism industry leading to more short-term rentals, large population inflows, and foreign speculation, all driving property prices up dramatically. Madrid-based real estate firm Idealista estimates that average monthly rents have nearly doubled over the past decade. The Spanish Youth Council (CJE) pointed out that young workers are now forced to spend 98.7% of their salaries on housing costs.

The housing issue has also become a major political topic ahead of next year's general election. On the 27th, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez referred to Abascal's case at a Socialist Party rally, stating that "the government is fully committed to preparing legislation on housing."

The bill referenced by Prime Minister Sanchez is expected to include measures such as automatic renewal of lease contracts and additional restrictions on forced evictions. However, since the Socialist Party does not hold a parliamentary majority, the passage of the bill remains uncertain.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.