King Juan Carlos today mourned the death of Adolfo Suárez, the first Prime Minister of the post Franco era.
Suárez was a key player in the King’s effort to restore Spanish Democracy.
He came to power after King Juan Carlos fired Franco holdover Carlos Arias Navarro.
Then the King’s loyalist made sure Suárez was on the list of acceptable candidates for the Monarch to chose from, as the old system mandated.
© Agencia EFE
Soon the King and Suárez, who later became a Duke, called elections and began liberalizing Spanish politics. The rest is history.
Today the King called the transition a “chapter that gave way to the period of great economic, social and political process.”
Updates
On Monday King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia and Infanta Elena met with various current and former Spanish leaders at the Congress building to remember Suárez.
His Majesty, after swift approval by the government, granted Suárez the collar of the Royal Order of Charles III. He was already a member of the Order of the Golden Fleece.
Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia also went to pay their respects.
Later in the week, the Prince and Princess attended funeral services for the mayor of Bilbao.
LOS BORBONES 