Union of the Democratic Centre (Spain)

The Union of the Democratic Centre (Unión de Centro Democrático, UCD, also translated as "Democratic Centre Union") was an electoral alliance, and later political party, in Spain, existing from 1977 to 1983. It was initially led by Adolfo Suárez. The coalition, in fact a federation of parties, was formed on 3 May 1977, during the transition to democracy from the dictatorship of Francisco Franco, with the involvement of leaders from a variety of newly formed centrist and rightist factions, under the leadership of Suárez, then Prime Minister. The principal components of the UCD defined themselves as Christian democrats, liberals, social democrats, or "independents", the latter frequently comprising conservative elements which had been part of the Franco regime. The parties that made the UCD coalition were: Christian democrats: Christian Democratic Party (PDC) of Fernando Álvarez de Miranda and Íñigo Cavero. Social democrats: Social Democratic Federation (FSD) of José Ramón Lasuén Sancho. It comprised ten regional parties. Social Democratic Party (PSD) of Francisco Fernández Ordóñez and Rafael Arias-Salgado. It comprised six regional parties. Independent Social Democratic Party (PSI) of Gonzalo Casado. Spanish Social Democratic Union (USDE) of Eurico de la Peña. Governmentalists: People's Party (PP) of Pío Cabanillas, Emilio Attard and José Pedro Pérez Llorca. It comprised seven regional parties. Liberals: Federation of Democratic and Liberal Parties (FPDL) of Joaquín Garrigues Walker and Antonio Fontán. It comprised nine regional parties. People's Democratic Party (PDP) of Ignacio Camuñas Solís. Liberal Party (PL) of Enrique Larroque. Liberal Progressive Party (PPL) of Juan García Madariaga. Regional parties: Extremaduran Regional Action (AREX) of Enrique Sánchez de León. Independent Galician Party (PGI) of José Luis Meilán. Andalusian Social Liberal Party (PSLA) of Manuel Clavero. Canarian Union (UC) of Lorenzo Olarte. Murcian Democratic Union (UDM) of Antonio Pérez Crespo.