Spanish politicians trade blame after death of housing protest figure

Spanish politicians traded blame on Thursday after the death of an 87-year-old woman who was evicted from her Madrid home exacerbated heated debates over housing ahead of an early election next month, as protests raged on across the country.     

Maricarmen Abascal, who died on Wednesday, had been hospitalised for severe anxiety and exhaustion since her dramatic eviction on 23 September, though no cause of death has been announced.

News that she had died enraged protesters camped out on squares in Spain's main cities, who chanted that she had been “murdered” by the greed of her landlords.

Political blame over housing crisis

Protests over housing shortages and surging rents sparked by Maricarmen's eviction prompted Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to call a snap general election on 29 November. Following her death, political leaders were quick to invoke Maricarmen in their attacks on opponents.

Left-leaning parties criticised the conservatives who had shot down decrees with housing measures aiming to curb soaring rental prices, while right-wingers said the leftist central government had proven unable to tackle the crisis after eight years in power.

Madrid lawmakers clash

In the capital, Madrid, lawmakers accused each other of cynically exploiting Abascal's case.

The conservative People's Party (PP), which has absolute majorities in the Madrid regional and local assemblies, refused to hold a minute of silence honouring Maricarmen, prompting hard-left deputies to stage one outside City Hall.

They also gave her a 60-second standing ovation during a tense debate in the regional assembly, while PP lawmakers remained seated with folded arms.

Madrid leader Isabel Díaz Ayuso of the PP blamed Sánchez, pointing out that the eviction had occurred under his government.

Opposition leader Manuela Bergerot of the leftist Mas Madrid party said Maricarmen had died because of “miserable people who put gain above a person's life...those responsible will carry that with them for their remaining days.”

She added that the last thing Ayuso had done while Maricarmen was alive was “laugh at her” -  a reference to when Ayuso quipped on 28 September: “At what age do I get to stop paying my landlords? Let me know.”

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Spain housing crisis Maricarmen Abascal Protests Madrid Spanish politics