Spanish pensioner whose eviction sparked nationwide protests dies, union says
Maricarmen Abascal, 87, was forcibly removed on a stretcher from her apartment of more than 70 years in September.
Spanish pensioner whose eviction sparked nationwide protests dies, union says
Maricarmen Abascal was evicted from her flat in Madrid two weeks ago
An elderly woman whose eviction set off nationwide protests over Spain's housing crisis and a political dispute that led to early elections has died, according to Madrid's tenants union.
Maricarmen Abascal, 87, was forcibly taken out on a stretcher from her apartment of more than 70 years in September after she could no longer afford rent rises.
The company that owned the flat later said she could return at a lower rent - but she was unable to sign an agreement because she had been admitted to hospital.
"We regret to announce that Maricarmen passed away today," the Madrid Tenants' Union said in a statement, adding that her case marked "a turning point in the history of this country".
After her eviction, Abascal became a symbol of Spain's housing crisis as anger intensified over the situation.
Protests followed, prompting the coalition government to approve emergency housing legislation - but Congress later rejected it.
Tens of thousands of people marched in cities across the country over the weekend after the proposed measures were turned down.
Referring to the rejected bills, the Madrid Tenants' Union said: "While a historic agreement was reached that would have allowed her to return to her home, this solution has come too late. An absolutely avoidable situation after a torturing process."
It said the events surrounding her eviction represented a turning point in the country's history, but added that the cost of reaching that point had been "too high".
It added: "Above all, we will fulfil what she always asked of us: 'fight, keep fighting for what is yours.'"