Deal reached for evicted Madrid pensioner as PM weighs new housing law

An 87-year-old Madrid pensioner, Maricarmen Abascal, will be able to return to her home after reaching a deal with the property's owners, her lawyer announced on Monday. Her eviction last Wednesday triggered widespread protests across Spain, putting pressure on the government to act on the country's housing crisis.

Unaffordable housing has been a persistent problem in Spain for years, but public outrage over Abascal's eviction pushed the issue to the center of political debate. Since Saturday night, demonstrators have pitched roughly 100 tents in Madrid's iconic Puerta del Sol square, while tens of thousands of people have taken part in protests nationwide.

Political pressure builds

The case of the elderly woman's eviction has become a symbol of broader public frustration over housing costs and availability in Spain. The prime minister is now under pressure to respond with a new housing law aimed at easing tensions and addressing protesters' demands.

While Abascal will be able to return home, the wider issue of housing affordability in Spain remains unresolved, and protests are continuing across the country.