Spain outraged after 87-year-old evicted from Madrid home of 70 years

An 87-year-old wheelchair user was forcibly evicted Wednesday from her Madrid apartment of over 70 years, sparking nationwide anger and protests over Spain's housing crisis. Video showed Maricarmen Abascal being removed on a stretcher as hundreds of supporters clashed with police. Abascal's lawyer called the force "disproportionate" and said an investment fund refused all negotiations, including an offer to cover rent, despite pending appeals. Protests occurred in 16 cities Thursday, with another planned Saturday in Madrid, as tenants unions decry gentrification and skyrocketing rents. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the eviction "a social tragedy," blaming conservative regional policies. The case highlights broader European concerns about housing financialization, with activists arguing housing is a fundamental right, not a commodity.