First government of Adolfo Suárez Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids 1st government of Adolfo Suárez
Government of Spain
1976–1977
Adolfo Suárez in August 1977.
Date formed	8 July 1976
Date dissolved	5 July 1977
People and organisations
Head of state	Juan Carlos I
Prime Minister	Adolfo Suárez
Deputy Prime Ministers	Fernando de Santiago^1st, Alfonso Osorio^2nd (1976) Manuel Gutiérrez Mellado^1st, Alfonso Osorio^2nd (1976–1977)
No. of ministers	19
Total no. of members	22
Member party	National Movement (Legal associations, military, nonpartisans) (1976–1977) UCD (1977)
Status in legislature	One-party state
History
Legislature term(s)	10th Cortes Españolas
Budget(s)	1977
Predecessor	Arias Navarro II
Successor	Suárez II

The first government led by Adolfo Suárez was formed in Spain on 8 July 1976. This happened after King Juan Carlos I chose Suárez to be the Prime Minister of Spain. Suárez took his oath on 5 July, following the resignation of the previous Prime Minister, Carlos Arias Navarro. This government was in charge of Spain from 8 July 1976 until 5 July 1977, lasting almost a full year.

At first, Suárez's government included people from different groups. Some were from the old "National Movement," which was the only allowed political group during the time of Francisco Franco. Others were reformers who wanted to change Spain and create a more open society. These reformers came from various political groups that were not yet officially allowed to be called "parties." Over time, many of these members joined together to form a new, important political group called the Union of the Democratic Centre (UCD) in May 1977. This new group was led by Adolfo Suárez himself.

Changes in the Government Team
Key Government Roles
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Changes in the Government Team

During its time in power, Adolfo Suárez's first government saw a few changes in its team of ministers. Here are some of the most important ones:

New Deputy Prime Minister

On 23 September 1976, Fernando de Santiago was replaced as the First Deputy Prime Minister. His role was taken over by Manuel Gutiérrez Mellado.

Minister of the Navy Changes

The Minister of the Navy, Gabriel Pita da Veiga, resigned on 12 April 1977. He disagreed with the government's decision to make the Communist Party of Spain (PCE) a legal political party. Admiral Pascual Pery took his place on 15 April.

Minister of Public Works Resigns

On 23 April 1977, Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo stepped down as Minister of Public Works. He left to help organize the new Union of the Democratic Centre (UCD) party for the upcoming 1977 Spanish general election. While a new minister was being chosen, Carlos Pérez de Bricio temporarily handled the ministry's duties. Luis Ortiz González officially became the new minister on 11 May 1977.

Key Government Roles

The government team, known as the Council of Ministers, was made up of the Prime Minister, two Deputy Prime Ministers, and 19 other ministers who each led a specific government department.

Prime Minister: Adolfo Suárez
First Deputy Prime Minister: Fernando de Santiago (until Sep 1976), then Manuel Gutiérrez Mellado (from Sep 1976)
Second Deputy Prime Minister: Alfonso Osorio
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Marcelino Oreja
Minister of Justice: Landelino Lavilla
Minister of Governance: Rodolfo Martín Villa
Minister of Finance: Eduardo Carriles
Minister of Education and Science: Aurelio Menéndez
Minister of Labour: Álvaro Rengifo
Minister of Agriculture: Fernando Abril Martorell
Minister of Trade: José Lladó
Minister of Information and Tourism: Andrés Reguera

These ministers worked together to lead Spain during an important time of change.

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The flag of Spain used during this government's time.
Adolfo Suárez, Prime Minister of Spain.

First government of Adolfo Suárez facts for kids

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