An elderly woman whose eviction from her Madrid home ignited nationwide protests and contributed to a political crisis triggering early elections has died, according to the Madrid Tenants' Union.

Maricarmen Abascal, 87, was forcibly removed from her apartment of over 70 years on September 23 after she was unable to meet a significant rent increase. Her case became a focal point for the growing anger over Spain's housing crisis.

The company that owned the flat, Urbagestión, had offered to allow Abascal to return at a reduced rate, but she was hospitalized and unable to finalize the agreement. The Madrid Tenants' Union announced her passing, stating her situation marked a turning point in the country's history.

Abascal's father originally rented the property in 1956, and she continued living there after her parents' deaths, during which time rent increases were capped. However, a legal provision allowed her landlord to raise her rent from €500 to €2,650, a sum still €300 more than her monthly pension even after it was later lowered to €1,650.

Previous eviction attempts against Abascal had been blocked by the courts, and her case garnered increasing media attention. The public outcry put pressure on the coalition government to pass emergency housing legislation, but a proposed bill was rejected in Congress last week, leading to further protests.

Tens of thousands of people demonstrated across Spain over the weekend, with protesters gathering in Madrid's Puerta del Sol, a site that had become a protest encampment. The Madrid Tenants' Union commented that while a historic agreement was reached that could have allowed her return, the solution came too late after a torturous process.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his condolences to Abascal's family and all those who felt the loss. The political turmoil surrounding Abascal's situation and the failed housing legislation led Sánchez to call for an early general election to be held on November 29.

Unions have also called for a general strike on November 11 to demand housing reforms. The events surrounding Abascal's eviction highlight the deep divisions and challenges Spain faces in addressing its housing affordability crisis.