Eviction of 87-year-old woman sparks mass protests in Madrid
After an 87-year-old woman was evicted from the apartment where she had lived for 71 years, tens of thousands took to the streets of Madrid on Saturday to protest against Spain's housing crisis. Her case has become a symbol of the country's soaring rental costs.
Madrid saw large-scale housing protests over the weekend after an 87-year-old woman known as Marikarmen was evicted from her apartment in the Retiro district. She had lived there since 1956 — more than 70 years — originally alongside her parents, who had signed the original rental contract.
Rent dispute
After the building changed ownership, a dispute arose over rental terms. According to the Madrid Tenants' Union, the new owner initially sought to raise the monthly rent from around 500 euros to as much as 2,650 euros, later lowering the demand to 1,650 euros. Even the reduced amount remained unaffordable for the pensioner. She was also offered the chance to buy the apartment for 247,000 euros, an option likewise beyond her means.
Eviction and clashes
Three previous attempts to evict her had failed, but the eviction finally took place on September 23. Hundreds of supporters had gathered outside the building, and clashes broke out between protesters and police. The woman, who has mobility difficulties, was carried out of the building on a stretcher and later taken to hospital.
Protests in central Madrid
Marikarmen's case quickly became a symbol of Spain's broader housing crisis. On Saturday, tens of thousands gathered in central Madrid demanding stronger tenant protections and solutions to rapidly rising housing costs. After the demonstration, some protesters remained in the central Puerta del Sol square, setting up tents and continuing the protest into Sunday.
