Police lined the street as Maricarmen, 87, was removed from her Madrid home amid a heavy police presence. Neighbors and activists gathered outside to support her and try to stop the eviction. Reuters reported that she had lived in the apartment for more than 70 years before an investment fund acquired it.
Urbagestión, the company behind the eviction, has denied claims that it is a "vulture fund." Images of an elderly woman losing her home under police escort sparked anger and protests across Spain. Demonstrations took place in Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Oviedo and Ávila, where thousands demanded action and blamed officials for failing to address the housing crisis. Euronews reported that about 10,000 people joined the protest in Madrid.
Politicians quickly weighed in. Mónica García, Minister of Health and leader of Más Madrid, called on the PSOE to bring a new housing decree to the next Council of Ministers. The Sindicato de Inquilinas protested outside a luxury penthouse in Chamberí, recently bought by the Community of Madrid, drawing attention to the gap between public spending on high-end homes and the struggles of ordinary people. Reuters and other international outlets have reported that many view the eviction as a symbol of Spain's housing crisis and investment funds' growing power in the market.
Pedro Sánchez, President of the Government, called Maricarmen's eviction a tragedy that should not happen. He urged all parties to back the proposed housing decree, saying it is needed to protect people at risk of losing their homes. Government leaders have condemned the eviction and used it to push for stronger tenant protections and urgent new laws.
The fallout was swift. Calls for new laws grew louder, with critics saying current rules fail to protect vulnerable tenants. The housing debate moved from the streets to the highest levels of government, putting policy back on lawmakers' agenda. DW and Reuters reported that this was at least the fourth attempt to evict Maricarmen. The operation was accompanied by clashes between police and protesters, including the use of tear gas and pepper spray to disperse the crowd.
elDiario.es reported that Maricarmen's story has become a symbol of the wider fight for housing rights in Spain. The use of force to remove an elderly woman, as deeper reforms stall, has intensified calls for clear, enforceable protections for those most at risk.
