Editorial: Adolfo Suarez

SPAIN owes former Spanish Prime Minister, Adolfo Suarez who died on Sunday, a big debt of gratitude. It was thanks to Suarez that Spain became what it is today, a leading democratic nation. I remember watching the black and white television coverage of the attempted coup in 1981 when a group of Guardia Civil officers stormed into parliament. It was Suarez who kept his cool. He was one of just three members of parliament who sat calmly while dozens of others threw themselves to the floor in panic. I think you could say that he was almost the father of Spain´s modern day democracy. It was a tricky time for Spain as the attempted military coup in 1981 clearly showed. Even as a ten year old school boy I can still remember the fears and deep concern on the island at the prospect of the coup. But it was Suarez who stood tall and Ican still remember seeing him on television confronting Colonel Tejero and his men when they seized parliament. It just shows you how much Spain has advanced in the space of thirty years. It was Suarez who managed to put Spain on the road of democracy even legasing the Communist Party which had been banned during the Franco years. Even that was a dangerous move especially as a result of the anti-communist propaganda during the Franco years. He was a politician of his time who played a key role in one of Spain´s most difficult periods. Spain should never forget Prime Minister Adolfo Suarez.