Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman, was forcibly evicted on Wednesday from the Madrid apartment where she had lived for more than 70 years. The eviction occurred after a real estate firm acquired her home and raised the rent by 275 per cent.
The incident sparked protests in the streets of Madrid on Saturday, with thousands, and in some cases tens of thousands, rallying against Spain's housing crisis. Demonstrators called for greater protection for tenants, anti-fraud measures, and a ban on evictions without alternative housing.
This case highlights a growing housing crisis across the country. The Bank of Spain estimated that the country had a shortage of about 550,000 homes last year, with Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia accounting for a substantial share.
Widespread anger at rising housing costs has put pressure on centre-left Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. His government is expected to approve a package of pro-tenant measures in its next cabinet meeting to curb evictions and rising costs.