MADRID, SPAIN - Former Prime Minister Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo, who presided during Spain's transition from the fascist dictatorship of Gen. Francisco Franco to liberal democracy, has died. He was 82.

Calvo Sotelo governed from February 1981 to December 1982, after predecessor Adolfo Suarez stepped down. He died Saturday, according to his eldest son, Leopoldo Calvo.

During a February 1981 vote to approve 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 sit paralyzed. Then, after a broadcast by King Juan Carlos condemning the attack, the perpetrators left parliament by climbing out of a window and were arrested.

After the attempted coup, Parliament set a date for general elections. The Socialist candidate, Felipe Gonzalez, won, ushering in Spain's modern democracy.

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

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.

During his career, which included being Spain's second post-Franco prime minister, Calvo Sotelo held numerous government posts, trade minister among them.

Calvo Sotelo was married to Pilar Ibanez-Martin Mellado, the daughter of Franco-era government minister Jose Ibanez-Martin.

He is survived by eight children: Leopoldo, Maria del Pilar, Juan Victor, Pedro Jose, Victor Maria, Jose Maria, Andres and Pablo.