Adolfo Suárez

Many of the wounds borne out of one of the bloodiest civil wars in human history and the subsequent 36 years of Franco's dictatorship are kept largely hidden beneath the surface in modern, democratic Spain.

Upon Franco's death the speedy and relatively tranquil transition from oppressive dictatorship, to economically powerful democracy was as spectacular as it was unique. This expertly crafted political miracle was the brain child of 2 great men - the currant monarch Juan Carlos, and the first post-Franco Prime Minister, the recently deceased Adolfo Suárez.

Sñr Suárez passed away last weekend in a Madrid hospital, having fought Alzheimer's disease for the last decade - even the best of us find that one fight we just can't win. As he sadly passed away, he lay in the centre of a free Spain, a flourishing democracy, where violence is rare and the population are wealthy (despite the current economic blip). This is his great, timeless legacy, not only to the Spanish people, but to Europe and the democratic world.

The appointment of Adolfo Suárez wasn't universally popular at the time, he had held a prominent and powerful position in Franco's facist and dictatorial regime. These links to the Francoist establishment led to doubts over both his ability and willingness to oversee the seismic shift Spain required to democracy. However, it was these very links that allowed him the maneuverability to usher in the democratic Spain we see today.

Perhaps the greatest showcase of Suárez's politically mastery took place in 1976, whilst simultaneously releasing 400 political prisoners he managed to convince the Cortes, Franco's puppet governing house, to essentially vote themselves out of existence. His reforms were put to the people in a referendum which achieved a staggering 94% approval rate from the Spanish people. These reforms cumulated, the following year, in the first free elections since the outbreak of the civil war and by extension the the legalising of political parties, including, controversially the communist PCE. The PCE, running on a Marxist platform were natural opponents of both Suarez and the still powerful military elite. It was a bold move, but one which Suarez unflinchingly took. 

These elections led to Suarez becoming the first post-Franco Prime Minister elected through the ballot box as his party, the UCD and the moderate left-wing PSOE became the 2 biggest parties in the reformed Cortes. This was not only a victory for Suarez, but for the moderation and democracy he had fought so vehemently for.  A formidable list of national problems were to face the newly democratically elected Prime Minister during his time in office, crippling national debts, Basque independence terrorist attacks, the fallout from Francoism, and the constant specter of a possible military coup from the staunchly right-wing generals.

Despite the raft of issues facing Suarez he met them all with a political skill which can only be dreamed about by Western leaders today. His determination to use his past, instead of hiding it, to drag Spain towards democracy is as commendable as it is unique. 

Next time you're sunning yourself on a Spanish beach, walking down La Rambla, or watching football in the Bernabeau spare a thought for Snr Adolfo Suarez, and what Spain could have been without him.

Descansa en paz, Señor.