Maricarmen Abascal lost the Madrid home where she had lived for more than 70 years. Renters are now demanding stronger eviction safeguards and new rules for rental contracts.
Maricarmen Abascal was given about 30 minutes to collect her belongings on 23 September 2026. The 87-year-old was then carried out of her Madrid home on a stretcher and taken away by ambulance. Her eviction has become the focus of a wider campaign over Spain's housing and rental rules.
The Sindicato de Inquilinas de Madrid called Saturday's march under the slogan "Ni una Maricarmen más". It began at Puerta del Sol at 18.30 and moved through the centre of the capital towards the parliament. Organisers put the proposed "Decreto Maricarmen" at the centre of the protest.
The demand is clear.
Maricarmen Abascal was evicted in Madrid on 23 September 2026 after being given about 30 minutes to gather her belongings. Reuters reported that she was carried out on a stretcher with social services and taken by ambulance; BBC and The New York Times Spanish edition reported that she later ended up in hospital.
The package has not been approved. The Sindicato de Inquilinas wants the Council of Ministers to adopt the so-called "real decreto Maricarmen" on Tuesday. Its proposals cover vulnerable tenants facing eviction, extensions to rental contracts and rules for seasonal and room rentals.
Spanish outlet Democrata reported that, as of 23 September 2026, the measure had not been introduced in parliament. It had not entered a formal legislative process either. For now, it remains a political demand rather than an adopted law.
Alicia del Río, a spokesperson for the Sindicato de Inquilinas de Madrid, called the eviction "un punto de no retorno" in the housing struggle. She wants automatic contract renewals that could make agreements indefinite. Her demands also include a rent freeze, action against the fraudulent use of seasonal and room contracts, and a moratorium on evictions when no alternative accommodation exists.
The mobilisation extended beyond Madrid: Reuters, DW, The New York Times and other outlets reported demonstrations involving hundreds or even thousands of people in the capital and other Spanish cities. The differing estimates nevertheless point to a broad national reaction rather than an isolated neighbourhood protest.
The case has already been documented in an earlier report. Saturday's demonstration shifted attention from one tenancy dispute to demands aimed at the national rental system.
Organisers accused the Community of Madrid of encouraging property speculation. They also criticised the central government for failing to intervene more decisively. Reuters and Euronews reported that the eviction followed several earlier attempts. Euronews described the completed procedure as the fourth attempt.
At around 18.45, the front of the march left Puerta del Sol behind a van that encouraged participants. Protesters shouted "Ayuso dimisión" outside the headquarters of the regional government. They also criticised Madrid mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida and the Government of Pedro Sánchez.
"¿Dónde está el Gobierno progresista?" was one of the chants heard along the route. The crowd called for a rent strike and a general strike. Protesters also shouted "Que viva la lucha de la clase obrera".
Traffic near the Congreso de los Diputados was cut about 45 minutes after the mobilisation began. The procession moved peacefully along Calle de Alcalá towards Cibeles before continuing to the parliamentary building.
Now the political question is specific. Will the Government approve the proposed protections, or explain why vulnerable tenants can still face eviction without another home available?
The demonstration does not show that the "Decreto Maricarmen" has become law. It shows that Maricarmen Abascal's removal has become the organising point for a broader campaign against insecure rentals.
Reuters and The New York Times have described the case as a political symbol of Spain's wider housing, rental and eviction crisis. Housing affordability and rising rents are among the country's central social conflicts in 2026. The Government's response is the next test.
