Manuel Gutiérrez Mellado

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Manuel Gutiérrez Mellado (April 30, 1912 - December 15, 1995) Spanish was a General and Government official, born in Madrid. Appointed Chief of Staff of the Spanish Army in June 1976, he served as Vice President of the Government (Vicepresidente primero del Gobierno , i.e., Deputy Prime Minister) of Spain from September 21, 1976 to February 26, 1981, holding the Defence portfolio from July 4, 1977. All this time the President of the Government (i.e., Prime Minister) was Adolfo Suárez.

During the failed Coup d'état on February 23rd 1981, he was one of only three members of the Spanish Congress of the Deputies (with Suarez and the Communist Santiago Carrillo) to physically confront the armed Guardia Civil troops led by Colonel Tejero.

Retired Captain-General Gutiérrez Mellado was killed at 83 in a car crash on the highway from Madrid to Guadalajara.

[edit] See also

• History of Spain
• Politics of Spain
• Prime Minister of Spain