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Obituaries

Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo | Spanish ex-premier, 82

Former Prime Minister Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo, 82, who presided during Spain's rocky transition from the fascist dictatorship of Gen. Francisco Franco to liberal democracy, died yesterday, according to his son Leopoldo Calvo. Mr. Calvo Sotelo governed from February 1981 to December 1982 after Adolfo Suarez stepped down. During a February 1981 vote to approve Mr. Calvo Sotelo's premiership, a group of right-wing Civil Guards broke into parliament, fired shots into the ceiling, and held lawmakers captive. Spain held its breath for 17 hours as it watched its nascent democratic institutions paralyzed until, following a broadcast by King Juan Carlos condemning the attack, the attackers left parliament by climbing out a window and were arrested. "A genuine political moderate, he obviously held things together through the worst moments of Spain's emerging democracy," said historian Paul Preston. Mr. Calvo Sotelo was ennobled by the king, made the marquis of Ria de Ribadeo, and named a grandee of Spain for his steady hand during the attempted coup. - AP

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Former Prime Minister Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo, 82, who presided during Spain's rocky transition from the fascist dictatorship of Gen. Francisco Franco to liberal democracy, died yesterday, according to his son Leopoldo Calvo.

Mr. Calvo Sotelo governed from February 1981 to December 1982 after Adolfo Suarez stepped down.

During a February 1981 vote to approve Mr. Calvo Sotelo's premiership, a group of right-wing Civil Guards broke into parliament, fired shots into the ceiling, and held lawmakers captive.

Spain held its breath for 17 hours as it watched its nascent democratic institutions paralyzed until, following a broadcast by King Juan Carlos condemning the attack, the attackers left parliament by climbing out a window and were arrested.

"A genuine political moderate, he obviously held things together through the worst moments of Spain's emerging democracy," said historian Paul Preston.

Mr. Calvo Sotelo was ennobled by the king, made the marquis of Ria de Ribadeo, and named a grandee of Spain for his steady hand during the attempted coup.

- AP

    Inquirer