Adolfo Suarez Gonzalez

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Suárez González, Adolfo (b. 25 Sept. 1932). Prime Minister of Spain 1976–81 Born in Cebreros (Avila), he received a doctorate degree in law from the University of Madrid, and rose quickly in the bureaucracy of the Franco regime to become director-general of radio and television (1965–8, 1969–73). As director of the Falange National Movement from 1975, he prevented its opposition to the post-Franco reforms. Juan Carlos appointed him Prime Minister in 1976 to oversee the establishment of a democratic government, and in close cooperation with the King Suárez effected this with the Law of Political Reform of 18 November 1976. With his party, the Democratic Union Centre (DUC), he won the ensuing elections of 1977. However, his popularity declined owing to the economic crisis consequent upon the 1979 world recession. The stability of the political system was seriously challenged by continued terrorist attacks by the Basque ETA. He resigned in 1981, weeks before the attempted coup of that year. Having lost the support of his own party, he founded the Democratic Centre and Social Party, which gained but two seats in 1982. These elections, therefore, ended the first stage of the country's democratization, to which he had been such a crucial contributor, and heralded its second stage under the leadership of González. He retired from politics in 1991.

Adolfo Suárez González , 1932–, Spanish political leader. Because he worked in the Nationalist Movement (the Falange) for 18 years and became its secretary-general after Franco 's death (1975), centrist and leftist forces opposed his appointment in July, 1976, as premier by King Juan Carlos . In 1977 he led his Union of the Democratic Center to victory in Spain's first free elections in 41 years. His centrist government instituted democractic reforms, and his coalition again won the 1979 elections under the new constitution. Less successful as a day-to-day organizer than as a crisis manager, he was replaced as prime minister in 1981; Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo succeeded him, but only after a failed coup in which the Cortes was seized while in session. In 1982 he founded the Democratic and Social Center party. He retired from active politics in 1991.