Thousands march in Madrid over eviction of 87-year-old woman

Thousands marched in Madrid on Saturday to protest the eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her lifelong home, demanding stronger tenant protections amid Spain's housing crisis. The demonstration follows public outrage over the woman's removal earlier this week. Maricarmen Abascal was carried from her flat on a stretcher after police broke down her door, following a 275 percent rent increase by a real estate firm. Protesters called for curbs on rising housing costs, with turnout estimated at 25,000 by authorities and 300,000 by organizers. The case has pressured Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who called it a "social tragedy," to propose a "Maricarmen decree" with automatic lease renewals and eviction restrictions, though parliamentary approval remains uncertain. Spain faces a shortage of 700,000 homes, analysts say.