Thousands of Spaniards march to mark death of octogenarian at heart of housing protests

Thousands gathered in Madrid and elsewhere after Maricarmen Abascal, 87, died following her eviction from a Madrid home. She had been hospitalized for severe anxiety and exhaustion since September 23; authorities have not announced a cause of death. Her eviction became a focus of protests over high rents and housing shortages. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called a snap election for November 29 amid pressure. Political parties blamed one another, while mourners left flowers and candles at Puerta del Sol.