Government of Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Government of Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo
Government of Spain
1981–1982
The government in November 1981.
Date formed	27 February 1981
Date dissolved	3 December 1982
People and organisations
Monarch	Juan Carlos I
Prime Minister	Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo
Deputy Prime Ministers	Rodolfo Martín Villa1st, Juan Antonio García Díez2nd (1981–1982) Juan Antonio García Díez (1982)
No. of ministers	15 (1981; 1982) 17 (1981–1982)
Total no. of members	24
Member party	UCD
Status in legislature	Minority government
Opposition party	PSOE
Opposition leader	Felipe González
History
Outgoing election	1982 general election
Legislature term(s)	1st Cortes Generales
Budget(s)	1982
Predecessor	Suárez III
Successor	González I

The government of Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo was a group of leaders who ran Spain from February 1981 to December 1982. This government was formed after the previous Prime Minister, Adolfo Suárez, stepped down.

Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo became the new Prime Minister on February 26, 1981. His government was mostly made up of members from the Union of the Democratic Centre (UCD) party. Some members were also independent, meaning they didn't belong to a specific political party. This government lasted for about one year and nine months. It ended after the 1982 general election, when a new government took over.

How the Prime Minister Was Chosen

Choosing a new Prime Minister in Spain involves a special vote in the Congress of Deputies, which is like a parliament.

Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo needed to get enough votes to become Prime Minister. His first attempt to get enough votes happened on February 21, 1981. However, this vote was interrupted by a serious event.

On February 23, 1981, while the vote was still happening, there was an attempt by some military members to take over the government. This event is known as the 23-F coup d'etat attempt. It was a very tense time for Spain's young democracy.

After this difficult situation was resolved, the vote continued. On February 25, 1981, Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo finally received enough votes to become Prime Minister. This meant he had the support of the majority of the members in the Congress of Deputies.

The Council of Ministers

The Council of Ministers is like the main team of leaders who help the Prime Minister run the country. Each minister is in charge of a specific area, like foreign affairs, justice, or education.

When Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo's government started, it had the Prime Minister and 15 ministers. Later, in December 1981, they added two Deputy Prime Ministers. These are like assistants to the Prime Minister, helping with important tasks. One minister was also added without a specific department, called a "Minister without portfolio."

In July 1982, the government changed again. They went back to having only one Deputy Prime Minister. The "Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister, without portfolio" position was also removed.

Here is a list of the main ministers in Calvo-Sotelo's government and when they served:

Images for kids

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  Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo

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  Rodolfo Martín Villa

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  Juan Antonio García Díez

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  José Pedro Pérez-Llorca

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  Francisco Fernández Ordóñez

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  Pío Cabanillas Gallas

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  Alberto Oliart

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  Jaime García Añoveros

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  Juan José Rosón

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  Luis Ortiz González

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  Juan Antonio Ortega y Díaz-Ambrona

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  Federico Mayor Zaragoza

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  Jesús Sancho Rof

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  Santiago Rodríguez-Miranda

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  Ignacio Bayón

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  Jaime Lamo de Espinosa

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  José Luis Álvarez

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  Matías Rodríguez Inciarte

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  Luis Gámir

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  Íñigo Cavero

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  Soledad Becerril

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  Rafael Arias-Salgado

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  Luis Cosculluela

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  Manuel Núñez Pérez

See also

In Spanish: Gobierno Calvo-Sotelo para niños