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Evicting an 87 year old woman from her house became a big issue in Spain. Thousands of people took to the streets to protest against high rents and eviction of people from their homes.
The matter escalated so much that the government had to bring an emergency bill in Parliament to provide relief to the tenants. But the government could not get them passed.
After this, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced to hold general elections about 8 months before the scheduled time. Voting will take place in Spain on 29 November 2026.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez during voting in the Spanish Parliament on October 2.
Elderly woman was living in the house for 70 years
The case started on 23 September. In Madrid, 87-year-old Maria del Carmen Abascal was thrown out of the house where she had lived for nearly 70 years.
This house was on rent from the Abascal family for several decades. In 2018, the original owner of the house sold the entire building to a real estate company.
After this, a dispute regarding rent started between the company and Abascal. The company increased the fare from 500 euros to 2650 euros. Abascal’s monthly pension alone was about 1,350 euros.
That means the rent demanded was much more than their entire monthly income. For this reason she was not in a position to pay the new rent. After this the matter went to court.
Abascal, an 87-year-old woman, became a symbol of Spain’s expensive rents and housing crisis.
Protests started across the country after the incident
The matter spread rapidly after pictures and videos of Abascal being thrown out of the house surfaced. People said that if an 87 year old woman cannot pay the house rent even after paying her entire pension, then it is not just a family’s problem.
In many cities including Madrid, people demonstrated against expensive rents and evictions. Abascal’s case gradually became a symbol of Spain’s growing housing crisis.
Pressure on the government also started increasing. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government said immediate action was needed to prevent elderly and other vulnerable tenants from being evicted.
People demonstrate on October 3 in Madrid demanding protection for tenants.
Government introduced two emergency bills, both rejected
On September 29, the government introduced two emergency bills in Parliament to provide relief to tenants.
First bill: There was a plan to prevent vulnerable tenants from being evicted from their homes by 2030. There was also talk of imposing some restrictions on increasing rents and banning big investors from buying houses. There was also a provision to provide tax relief to small landlords and tenants.
Second bill: There was talk of extending the existing rent agreement of the tenants. This means that after the end of the agreement, they do not have to vacate the house immediately and they get a chance to live in the same house for some more time.
PM Pedro Sanchez’s government does not have a majority in Parliament. Therefore, he needs the support of other parties for every major decision.
The government hoped that given the housing crisis, other parties would support these measures. But he did not get the necessary support. Both the proposals could not be passed in the voting held on October 2.
Why did the bills not get support?
Reason 1: Other parties felt it could reduce rental housing: The protesting parties said that if more rules are imposed on landlords, they may avoid renting out their homes. Due to this, there may be less houses for rent in the market.
Reason 2: Risk of rent increases: When there are fewer homes for rent, rents for the remaining homes may increase. This means that instead of providing relief to the tenants, the problem may become bigger.
Reason 3: There were objections regarding small landlords also: Junts said that the government’s plan did not take adequate care of the interests of small landlords. The party wanted that there should be more relief and security for them also.
Reason 4: Even the political opponents of the government did not come together: The opposition parties PP and Vox were already opposing the housing policy of the Sanchez government. He did not support both the bills.
Why did Sanchez decide on early elections?
Sanchez held talks with his party and allies after the housing proposals were rejected. After this he decided to hold general elections about 8 months before the scheduled time.
Sanchez’s tenure was to last till 2027, but now elections will be held in the country on November 29, 2026.
Sanchez faces a clear challenge. On one hand he is talking about providing relief to people on issues like expensive houses and rent. On the other hand, the opposition is cornering him on the government’s weakness, allegations of corruption and the issue of migration.
Housing can become the biggest issue in the elections
Both buying and renting a home have become more expensive in Spain over the past few years. There has been an increase in resentment among people regarding rent prices, especially in Madrid and other big cities.
In such a situation, the case of Abascal is no longer just the story of an elderly woman being thrown out of her house. It has become a symbol of the question whether common people can even pay house rent in the big cities of Spain according to their earnings.
Now Sanchez will go to the public with this issue in the November 29 elections. The opposition will try to present this election as a referendum against the government.
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