Police clash with protesters in Madrid following forced eviction of 'Maricarmen'

Key Points:

• Thousands have protested in Madrid and other Spanish cities following the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen, who was removed from her home after living there since 1956; demonstrations included clashes with police and calls for housing rights.
• Maricarmen's eviction was carried out after four attempts, with police forcibly removing supporters and activists who tried to block the process; her lawyer's last-minute request for more time to find alternative housing was denied.
• The dispute originated from a regulated tenancy signed in 1956, which transferred to Maricarmen through succession, but was challenged by the new property owners who argued the contract had lapsed; the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the owners in March.
• The UN had urged the Spanish government to halt the eviction and ensure adequate housing for Maricarmen, but the eviction proceeded despite this; local authorities claim they offered her various housing options, which she declined, and she has now moved in with relatives.
• The case has highlighted Spain's broader housing crisis, with tenant groups calling for action to stop evictions and address affordability, while the Madrid City Council and regional government have faced criticism over their handling of the situation.