Suárez González, Adolfo (1932– )

Spanish politician, prime minister 1976–81. A friend of King Juan Carlos, he was appointed by the king to guide Spain into democracy after the death of the fascist dictator Franco.

Suárez became prime minister following a career in the National Movement that spanned 18 years. In 1997 he called and won the first free elections in Spain for more than 40 years as leader of the Union of the Democratic Centre (UCD). He resigned the premiership in 1981, and in the following year founded the Democratic and Social Centre party (CDS).