Madrid protest over housing crisis after 87-year-old's eviction

Thousands marched in Madrid on Saturday to protest Spain's housing crisis after the eviction of an 87-year-old woman, intensifying pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's government to curb evictions and rising rents. The protest followed Maricarmen Abascal's removal from her lifelong home after a 275% rent hike. Authorities estimated 25,000 attendees, while organizers claimed 300,000, with demonstrators demanding tenant protections and chanting slogans outside parliament. Abascal, hospitalized for exhaustion, urged public action in a video message, saying she wanted her case to prevent similar evictions and drive legal changes. Sanchez called the eviction a "social tragedy" and plans a "Maricarmen decree" with automatic lease renewals and eviction restrictions, though his minority government faces uncertain parliamentary approval. Spain lacks an estimated 700,000 homes, with limited public housing and rents inflated by tourism and immigration.