An evicted elderly disabled woman, who has become symbolic of Spain’s housing crisis, will be able to return to her home in Madrid, according to her lawyer.
Maricarmen Abascal, 87, was forcibly removed on a stretcher from her apartment of more than 70 years on 23 September. She was admitted to hospital after the eviction.
Her eviction has led to widespread anger across Spain, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has promised housing relief measures when his cabinet meets on Tuesday.
Abascal’s lawyer, Beatriz Duro, told a press conference there had been “goodwill from both parties” and that she would pay a similar amount of rent under a new contract, averting a significant price hike.
Duro had met the investment company Urbagestión, which owns the apartment, for several hours on Monday, and the agreement they reached still has to be approved by Maricarmen Abascal, as she was unable to take part in the meeting.
She added that Abascal, who is being treated for exhaustion, would sign the deal when she felt better.
Up to 1,000 protesters welcomed the agreement at Madrid’s Puerta del Sol, where hundreds of tents have been set up. However, the city’s Tenants’ Union has called on the government to approve deeper housing reforms “so that there are no more Maricarmens”.