Spanish pensioner whose eviction sparked nationwide protests dies, union says

An elderly woman whose eviction sparked nationwide protests over Spain's housing crisis and a political row that triggered early elections has died, according to Madrid's tenants union.

The company that owned the flat later offered to allow her to return at a lower rate - but she was unable to sign an agreement as she had been admitted to hospital.

Union spokesperson Alicia del Río said: "Speculation costs lives, and today rentierism has finished killing our colleague Maricarmen" but "her memory lives on with us".

Her father first rented the property in 1956 and she continued as the tenant after her parents died, during which time there was a cap on the rent.

The company later offered to reduce this to €1,650 - still €300 more than Abascal's monthly pension.

Anger over the situation grew, leading to protests and putting pressure on the coalition government to approve emergency housing legislation - but it was rejected in Congress last week.

Protesters gathered at one of Madrid's main squares, Puerta del Sol, following Absacal's death

Referring to the rejected bills, the Madrid Tenants' Union said: "While a historic agreement was reached that would have allowed her to return to her home, this solution has come too late. An absolutely avoidable situation after a torturing process."

"Above all, we will fulfil what she always asked of us: 'fight, keep fighting for what is yours,'" it said.

"All my love goes to Maricarmen's family and loved ones," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said. "A hug as well to everyone who today feels this loss as their own."

Photos show demonstrators lighting candles and holding posters of Maricarmen at the housing protest camp on Wednesday evening.

The public outcry over Abascal's situation has led to political turmoil in Spain.