Spain's first democratically elected prime minister after 35 years of dictatorship has died. Adolfo Suarez was 81.
Prime Minister Adolfo Suarez in June 1978. Photo: AFP (file)
Mr Suarez was handpicked by King Juan Carlos in 1976 after the death of General Francisco Franco to steer the country towards a parliamentary democracy.
A year later, he won Spain's first free elections in more than 40 years and served for four years.
A 2007 poll showed that Spaniards regarded him as the most respected prime minister since Franco's death.
"He was a great statesman," said King Juan Carlos in a TV address.
"Suarez saw with clarity and great generosity that the welfare and the future of everyone depended on consensus."
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced three days of official mourning, starting Monday.
