Madrid protests erupt over eviction of 87-year-old woman

Tens of thousands protested in Madrid against the eviction of an 87-year-old woman, highlighting Spain's housing crisis and increasing pressure on the leftist government. The demonstration, under the slogan "Ni una Maricarmen más," drew an estimated 25,000 to 300,000 participants. Maricarmen, who lived in her Madrid apartment for 70 years, was evicted Wednesday after the building was sold to a real estate company. She was hospitalized following the eviction and urged others to "keep fighting" for housing rights, despite her 50% disability. Protesters blame both the central government and regional administrations for the housing shortage, demanding indefinite lease extensions, eviction protections, and rent freezes. The government plans to pass a housing decree Tuesday, while Podemos politician Irene Montero called for expropriating 650,000 apartments from "vulture funds."