Manuel Fraga Iribarne facts for kids

Manuel Fraga Iribarne (born November 23, 1922, in Vilalba – died January 15, 2012, in Madrid) was an important Spanish politician. He was active in politics both during the time of Francisco Franco's rule and after Spain became a democracy. Fraga served as the President of Galicia from 1990 to 2005. He was a strong leader who had many supporters but also faced strong opposition.

Early Life and Education

Manuel Fraga was born in a town called Vilalba, in the region of Galicia, Spain. He studied law and political science at university. He was a very bright student and earned several degrees, showing his dedication to learning and public service from a young age.

Political Career Under Franco

Fraga held several important jobs in the Spanish government during Francisco Franco's time as leader. He was a minister, which means he was in charge of different parts of the government. One of his roles was as the Minister of Information and Tourism. In this job, he helped to change how Spain was seen by the rest of the world, especially in terms of tourism. He also worked to modernize some of Spain's laws.

Transition to Democracy

After Franco's death in 1975, Spain began its journey to become a democracy. Manuel Fraga was one of the key figures during this important time. He helped to write the new Spanish Constitution in 1978, which set up Spain as a democratic country. Because of his role, he is known as one of the "Fathers of the Spanish Constitution."

Leading a Political Party

Fraga founded a political party called People's Alliance, which later became the People's Party. He was the leader of this party for many years. He played a big part in shaping conservative politics in Spain during the early years of its democracy. He ran for prime minister several times, showing his strong desire to lead the country.

President of Galicia

From 1990 to 2005, Manuel Fraga served as the President of the Xunta de Galicia, which is the regional government of Galicia. During his time as president, he worked to improve the economy and infrastructure of Galicia. He was a very influential leader in his home region, and his decisions had a lasting impact on the lives of people there.

Later Years and Legacy

Even after stepping down as President of Galicia, Fraga remained an important voice in Spanish politics. He continued to be a senator, which is a member of one of Spain's main law-making bodies, until shortly before his death in 2012. Manuel Fraga is remembered as a powerful and sometimes controversial figure who played a significant role in Spain's history, from the Franco era to its modern democracy.

Images for kids

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  Prime Minister Felipe González holding a meeting with Fraga in La Moncloa in July 1983.

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  José María Aznar and Fraga in 1996

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  Manuel Fraga (Third from left) on a convention on climate change of the European People's Party in Madrid (2008).

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  Statue of Fraga in Cambados, Spain.

See also

In Spanish: Manuel Fraga para niños