Spain’s housing strike turns violent as clashes erupt in Madrid and Barcelona

Developing story first seen 40 minutes ago

Daily Mail · 40 minutes ago

**New:** Maricarmen Abascal, the 87-year-old pensioner whose eviction became a focus of Spain’s housing protests, has died after being taken to hospital. Her case has intensified anger over a proposed 275 per cent rent rise and the wider difficulty of finding affordable housing.

Spain’s first general strike in 14 years saw millions of workers walk out, disrupting businesses and public transport under the slogan “Salaries. Housing. Prices.” Marches were mostly peaceful before clashes in Barcelona and Madrid, where protesters smashed shopfronts, set bins alight and launched fireworks, while police used pepper spray. Police had made 39 strike-related arrests before the later clashes; average rents have almost doubled in the past decade, and parliament rejected proposed housing reforms.

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In short

Evicted pensioner Maricarmen Abascal has died after being taken to hospital.
Spain’s housing strike drew millions of workers and disrupted transport.
Clashes followed mostly peaceful marches in Barcelona and Madrid.

How this story developed

9 minutes ago Clashes in Barcelona and Madrid followed largely peaceful marches during Spain’s first general strike in 14 years, with protesters damaging shopfronts, setting bins alight and throwing fireworks as riot police used pepper spray; the walkout disrupted businesses and public transport amid demands for action on housing costs and the wider cost of living.
18 minutes ago Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old pensioner whose eviction became a symbol of Spain’s housing protests, died after being taken to hospital, while anger grew over a proposed 275 per cent rent increase and the shortage of affordable homes.