87-year-old evicted in Madrid: Minister demands emergency housing law

Spain's Health Minister Mónica García has called on the government to approve a housing decree at the next Council of Ministers meeting on Tuesday, September 29. Her demand came on Wednesday, the same day an 87-year-old woman named Maricarmen was evicted from her home in Madrid's Retiro district. "On Tuesday, the Housing Royal Decree must go to the Council of Ministers. The PSOE cannot keep delaying it," García wrote on social media. She also said that "PP, Junts and Vox cannot vote against it again." García, who also leads the party Más Madrid, linked the new law to Maricarmen's case. "No more evicted Maricarmens, no more vulture fund owners making our rights their law of the jungle," she said. **A 71-year stay ends** The eviction took place after several hours of resistance at the building's entrance. National Police deployed many officers to clear the way and remove protesters trying to block the judicial commission. Maricarmen finally left the apartment with social services. The conflict began when the building was sold. The new owner raised the rent. Maricarmen had inherited her old rental contract from her mother and lived in the same apartment for 71 years, paying 500 euros per month. The company demanded more than 2,000 euros — more than her pension. **Government blame** The Housing Ministry has spent months asking Madrid authorities to intervene in similar cases. Housing Minister Isabel Rodríguez blamed the Community of Madrid for the situation. "When we try to do all that, there are people working in the opposite direction," she said. García's demand follows Congress's rejection in April of a Sumar-backed decree. It included a rent freeze extension that could have helped Maricarmen and a 2% cap on rent increases. The decision now rests with the Council of Ministers.