Madrid protests erupt after eviction of 87-year-old tenant

Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in Madrid for affordable housing and stronger tenant protections, triggered by the forced eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her home after 70 years. Authorities estimated 25,000 attendees, while organizers claimed over 300,000. Abascal, whose rent was reportedly raised from 500 to 2,650 euros monthly after her building was sold, called for protests in a video message. Demonstrators blamed both the central government and regional authorities for the housing crisis, demanding measures like indefinite lease extensions and rent freezes. The case has pressured Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose cabinet plans to discuss a "Maricarmen decree" with measures including automatic lease renewals and stricter eviction rules. Spain faces a shortage of roughly 700,000 homes, according to the Bank of Spain.