Maricarmen Abascal, the 87-year-old Madrid pensioner whose eviction from her lifelong home ignited nationwide protests over Spain’s housing crisis, died Wednesday in a hospital where she had been treated since her removal on Sept. 23. Her death was confirmed by the Sindicato de Inquilinas, which had supported her legal battle and negotiated a rare agreement with property firm Urbagestión to allow her return—an offer that came too late .

Thousands gathered Thursday evening for a march from Madrid’s Puerta del Sol to her former apartment on Calle Alcalde Sainz de Baranda, where mourners left flowers, candles and messages like “Rest in Peace Maricarmen” and “Your death won’t be in vain” . The Tenants’ Union, now surpassing 5,000 members, called the eviction a turning point, stating, “The debate on housing is now central, but the cost has been too high” .

Abascal’s eviction, executed on a stretcher after four attempts, followed a court ruling invalidating her long-standing tenancy. The property had been sold by Renta Corporación to Urbagestión in 2018 for €247,000; Abascal, who earned a pension of about €1,450, said she could not afford to buy it .

Political tensions escalated as Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called a snap election for Nov. 29 after opposition parties blocked housing reforms. The PP rejected tributes to Abascal, while left-wing groups accused rivals of exploiting her death for electoral gain . Protesters in Sol chanted, “This is not a death, it’s murder,” and vowed to continue the fight .