Spain protests: Evicted 87-year-old woman to return to Madrid home | Government News | Al Jazeera

Large protests erupted in Madrid over the eviction of 87-year-old Maria del Carmen Abascal, who faced a rent hike of over 200% after her building was bought by an international investment fund to convert it into tourist apartments. The fund offered to reduce her rent to its pre-dispute level, capping her monthly payments at about $570 for the next eight years, covering roughly 30% of her pension. The protests, organized by Madrid’s tenants’ union, drew tens of thousands and spread to other cities. The Spanish government proposed measures to extend tenant protections until 2030, but these fell short of protesters' demands.