Electoral system
The constituency was created as per the Statute of Autonomy for the Basque Country of 1979 and was first contested in the 1980 regional election. The Statute provided for the three provinces in the Basque Country—Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa—to be established as multi-member districts in the Basque Parliament, with this regulation being maintained under the 1983 and 1990 regional electoral laws. Each constituency is allocated a fixed number of 25 seats each, to provide for an equal representation of the three provinces in Parliament as required under the regional Statute. The exception was the 1980 election, when this number was 60.[1][2][3]
Voting is on the basis of universal suffrage, which comprises all nationals over eighteen, registered in the Basque Country and in full enjoyment of their political rights. Amendments to the electoral law in 2011 required for Basques abroad to apply for voting before being permitted to vote, a system known as "begged" or expat vote (Spanish: Voto rogado).[4] Seats are elected using the D'Hondt method and a closed list proportional representation, with a threshold of 3 percent of valid votes—which, until 1983 and from 1990 includes blank ballots; also and until a 2000 reform, the threshold was set at 5 percent—being applied in each constituency. Parties not reaching the threshold are not taken into consideration for seat distribution.[1][2][3] Additionally, the use of the D'Hondt method may result in an effective threshold over three percent, depending on the district magnitude.[5]
The electoral law provides that parties, federations, coalitions and groupings of electors are allowed to present lists of candidates. However, groupings of electors are required to secure the signature of at least 1 percent of the electors registered in the constituency for which they are seeking election—0.1 percent and, at least, the signature of 500 electors, until 1983; just the signature of 500 electors from 1983 to 1990—. Electors are barred from signing for more than one list of candidates. Concurrently, parties and federations intending to enter in coalition to take part jointly at an election are required to inform the relevant Electoral Commission within ten days of the election being called—fifteen before 1985.[2][3][6][7][8]
Elections
2016 regional election
Summary of the 25 September 2016 Basque Parliament election results in Álava
Parties and coalitions |
Popular vote |
Seats |
Votes |
% |
±pp |
Total |
+/− |
|
Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV) |
42,327 | 28.01 | +2.50 |
8 | +1 |
|
People's Party (PP) |
27,877 | 18.45 | –0.23 |
5 | ±0 |
|
Basque Country Unite (EH Bildu) |
26,899 | 17.80 | –3.94 |
5 | –1 |
|
United We Can (Podemos–IU–eQuo) (Elkarrekin Podemos)1 |
24,339 | 16.11 | +10.47 |
4 | +4 |
|
Socialist Party of the Basque Country–Basque Country Left (PSE–EE (PSOE)) |
19,489 | 12.90 | –6.13 |
3 | –3 |
|
Citizens–Party of the Citizenry (C's) |
4,784 | 3.17 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
|
Animalist Party Against Mistreatment of Animals (PACMA/ATTKAA) |
1,498 | 0.99 | +0.56 |
0 | ±0 |
|
Let's Win the Basque Country: Yes We Can (Ganemos Irabazi) |
856 | 0.57 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
Vox (Vox) |
771 | 0.51 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
Zero Cuts–Green Group (Recortes Cero–GV) |
664 | 0.44 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
Blank Seats (EB/AZ) |
385 | 0.25 | –1.22 |
0 | ±0 |
|
Welcome (Ongi Etorri) |
124 | 0.08 | +0.02 |
0 | ±0 |
|
Union, Progress and Democracy (UPyD) |
n/a | n/a | –3.47 |
0 | –1 |
Blank ballots |
1,078 | 0.71 | –0.73 |
|
|
Total |
151,091 | |
25 | ±0 |
|
Valid votes |
151,091 | 99.27 | –0.74 |
|
Invalid votes |
1,113 | 0.73 | +0.74 |
Votes cast / turnout |
152,204 | 59.74 | –3.85 |
Abstentions |
102,557 | 40.26 | +3.85 |
Registered voters |
254,761 | |
|
Sources[9][10] |
|
2012 regional election
Summary of the 21 October 2012 Basque Parliament election results in Álava
Parties and coalitions |
Popular vote |
Seats |
Votes |
% |
±pp |
Total |
+/− |
|
Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV) |
40,116 | 25.51 | –4.51 |
7 | –1 |
|
Basque Country Unite (EH Bildu)1 |
34,193 | 21.74 | +13.94 |
6 | +5 |
|
Socialist Party of the Basque Country–Basque Country Left (PSE–EE (PSOE)) |
30,358 | 19.30 | –11.87 |
6 | –3 |
|
People's Party (PP) |
29,374 | 18.68 | –2.43 |
5 | –1 |
|
Union, Progress and Democracy (UPyD) |
5,453 | 3.47 | –0.46 |
1 | ±0 |
|
|
United Left–The Greens: Plural Left (IU–LV) |
4,579 | 2.91 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
Equo Greens–Basque Ecologists (EB–EE) |
4,287 | 2.73 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
United Left–Greens (EB–B) |
2,488 | 1.58 | –1.73 |
0 | ±0 |
|
Blank Seats (EB/AZ) |
2,309 | 1.47 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
Animalist Party Against Mistreatment of Animals (PACMA/ATTKAA) |
669 | 0.43 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
For a Fairer World (PUM+J) |
638 | 0.41 | –0.11 |
0 | ±0 |
|
Humanist Party (PH) |
223 | 0.14 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
Communist Unification of Spain (UCE) |
154 | 0.10 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
Welcome (Ongi Etorri) |
101 | 0.06 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
Community Integration Party (PYC) |
59 | 0.04 | New |
0 | ±0 |
Blank ballots |
2,270 | 1.44 | +0.26 |
|
|
Total |
157,271 | |
25 | ±0 |
|
Valid votes |
157,271 | 98.53 | +4.14 |
|
Invalid votes |
2,348 | 1.47 | –4.14 |
Votes cast / turnout |
159,619 | 63.59 | –1.48 |
Abstentions |
91,375 | 36.41 | +1.48 |
Registered voters |
250,994 | |
|
Sources[9][10] |
|
2009 regional election
Summary of the 1 March 2009 Basque Parliament election results in Álava
Parties and coalitions |
Popular vote |
Seats |
Votes |
% |
±pp |
Total |
+/− |
|
Socialist Party of the Basque Country–Basque Country Left (PSE–EE (PSOE)) |
47,523 | 31.17 | +5.87 |
9 | +2 |
|
Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV)1 |
45,767 | 30.02 | n/a |
8 | +2 |
|
People's Party (PP) |
32,188 | 21.11 | –4.64 |
6 | –1 |
|
Aralar (Aralar) |
6,613 | 4.34 | +2.85 |
1 | +1 |
|
Union, Progress and Democracy (UPyD) |
5,990 | 3.93 | New |
1 | +1 |
|
Basque Solidarity (EA)1 |
5,280 | 3.46 | n/a |
0 | –2 |
|
United Left–Greens (EB–B) |
5,053 | 3.31 | –1.61 |
0 | –1 |
|
|
The Greens (B–LV) |
1,246 | 0.82 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
For a Fairer World (PUM+J) |
792 | 0.52 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
Internationalist Socialist Workers' Party (POSI) |
209 | 0.14 | ±0.00 |
0 | ±0 |
|
Communist Party of the Basque Homelands (PCTV/EHAK) |
n/a | n/a | –13.16 |
0 | –2 |
Blank ballots |
1,797 | 1.18 | +0.43 |
|
|
Total |
152,458 | |
25 | ±0 |
|
Valid votes |
152,458 | 94.39 | –5.21 |
|
Invalid votes |
9,060 | 5.61 | +5.21 |
Votes cast / turnout |
161,518 | 65.07 | –4.18 |
Abstentions |
86,713 | 34.93 | +4.18 |
Registered voters |
248,231 | |
|
Sources[9][10] |
|
2005 regional election
Summary of the 17 April 2005 Basque Parliament election results in Álava
Parties and coalitions |
Popular vote |
Seats |
Votes |
% |
±pp |
Total |
+/− |
|
Basque Nationalist Party–Basque Solidarity (PNV–EA) |
51,986 | 30.44 | –3.11 |
8 | –1 |
|
People's Party (PP) |
43,989 | 25.75 | –6.72 |
7 | –2 |
|
Socialist Party of the Basque Country–Basque Country Left (PSE–EE (PSOE)) |
43,216 | 25.30 | +4.87 |
7 | +2 |
|
Communist Party of the Basque Homelands (PCTV/EHAK)1 |
14,187 | 13.16 | +7.03 |
2 | +1 |
|
United Left–Greens (EB–B)2 |
8,409 | 4.92 | –1.00 |
1 | ±0 |
|
|
Alavese Unity (UA) |
3,765 | 2.20 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
Aralar (Aralar) |
2,542 | 1.49 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
Greens–Anti-Bullfighting Party Against Mistreatment of Animals (B–PACMA) |
851 | 0.50 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
Humanist Party (PH) |
340 | 0.20 | –0.37 |
0 | ±0 |
|
Internationalist Socialist Workers' Party (POSI) |
234 | 0.14 | New |
0 | ±0 |
Blank ballots |
1,284 | 0.75 | –0.13 |
|
|
Total |
170,803 | |
25 | ±0 |
|
Valid votes |
170,803 | 99.60 | +0.15 |
|
Invalid votes |
689 | 0.40 | –0.15 |
Votes cast / turnout |
171,492 | 69.25 | –9.79 |
Abstentions |
76,153 | 30.75 | +9.79 |
Registered voters |
247,645 | |
|
Sources[9][10] |
|
2001 regional election
Summary of the 13 May 2001 Basque Parliament election results in Álava
Parties and coalitions |
Popular vote |
Seats |
Votes |
% |
±pp |
Total |
+/− |
|
Basque Nationalist Party–Basque Solidarity (PNV–EA)1 |
64,832 | 33.55 | +5.62 |
9 | +2 |
|
People's Party (PP)1 |
62,737 | 32.47 | –2.58 |
9 | ±0 |
|
Socialist Party of the Basque Country–Basque Country Left (PSE–EE (PSOE)) |
39,469 | 20.43 | +3.62 |
5 | ±0 |
|
Basque Citizens (EH) |
11,836 | 6.13 | –5.93 |
1 | –2 |
|
United Left (IU/EB) |
11,430 | 5.92 | +0.29 |
1 | ±0 |
|
|
Humanist Party (PH) |
1,095 | 0.57 | +0.34 |
0 | ±0 |
|
Freedom (Askatasuna) |
137 | 0.07 | New |
0 | ±0 |
Blank ballots |
1,694 | 0.88 | –0.48 |
|
|
Total |
193,230 | |
25 | ±0 |
|
Valid votes |
193,230 | 99.45 | +0.04 |
|
Invalid votes |
1,070 | 0.55 | –0.04 |
Votes cast / turnout |
194,300 | 79.04 | +8.77 |
Abstentions |
51,503 | 20.96 | –8.77 |
Registered voters |
245,830 | |
|
Sources[9][10] |
|
1998 regional election
Summary of the 25 October 1998 Basque Parliament election results in Álava
Parties and coalitions |
Popular vote |
Seats |
Votes |
% |
±pp |
Total |
+/− |
|
People's Party (PP) |
45,470 | 26.66 | +10.74 |
7 | +3 |
|
Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV) |
36,923 | 21.65 | –0.10 |
6 | ±0 |
|
Socialist Party of the Basque Country–Basque Country Left (PSE–EE (PSOE)) |
28,670 | 16.81 | +1.22 |
5 | +1 |
|
Basque Citizens (EH)1 |
20,567 | 12.06 | +1.98 |
3 | +1 |
|
Alavese Unity (UA) |
14,305 | 8.39 | –10.13 |
2 | –3 |
|
Basque Solidarity (EA) |
10,718 | 6.28 | –0.96 |
1 | –1 |
|
United Left (IU/EB) |
9,606 | 5.63 | –3.45 |
1 | –1 |
|
|
Basque Country Greens (EHB) |
864 | 0.51 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
Natural Law Party (PLN/LNA) |
750 | 0.44 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
Humanist Party (PH) |
387 | 0.23 | New |
0 | ±0 |
Blank ballots |
2,315 | 1.36 | –0.25 |
|
|
Total |
170,575 | |
25 | ±0 |
|
Valid votes |
170,575 | 99.41 | +0.06 |
|
Invalid votes |
1,005 | 0.59 | –0.06 |
Votes cast / turnout |
171,580 | 70.27 | +9.58 |
Abstentions |
72,604 | 29.73 | –9.58 |
Registered voters |
244,184 | |
|
Sources[9][10] |
|
1994 regional election
Summary of the 23 October 1994 Basque Parliament election results in Álava
Parties and coalitions |
Popular vote |
Seats |
Votes |
% |
±pp |
Total |
+/− |
|
Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV) |
29,911 | 21.75 | –0.56 |
6 | ±0 |
|
Alavese Unity (UA) |
25,469 | 18.52 | +7.47 |
5 | +2 |
|
People's Party (PP) |
21,885 | 15.92 | +5.09 |
4 | +1 |
|
Socialist Party of the Basque Country–Basque Country Left (PSE–EE (PSOE))1 |
21,431 | 15.59 | –12.29 |
4 | –4 |
|
Popular Unity (HB) |
13,865 | 10.08 | –2.62 |
2 | –1 |
|
United Left (IU/EB) |
12,484 | 9.08 | +7.94 |
2 | +2 |
|
Basque Solidarity (EA) |
9,958 | 7.24 | –0.89 |
2 | ±0 |
|
|
Coalition for a New Socialist Party (NPS)2 |
283 | 0.21 | +0.07 |
0 | ±0 |
Blank ballots |
2,214 | 1.61 | +0.81 |
|
|
Total |
137,500 | |
25 | ±0 |
|
Valid votes |
137,500 | 99.35 | +0.03 |
|
Invalid votes |
898 | 0.65 | –0.03 |
Votes cast / turnout |
138,398 | 60.69 | +0.45 |
Abstentions |
89,633 | 39.31 | –0.45 |
Registered voters |
228,031 | |
|
Sources[9][10] |
|
1990 regional election
Summary of the 28 October 1990 Basque Parliament election results in Álava
Parties and coalitions |
Popular vote |
Seats |
Votes |
% |
±pp |
Total |
+/− |
|
Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV) |
28,341 | 22.31 | +2.22 |
6 | +1 |
|
Socialist Party of the Basque Country (PSE–PSOE) |
26,894 | 21.17 | –3.71 |
6 | –1 |
|
Popular Unity (HB) |
16,139 | 12.70 | –0.10 |
3 | ±0 |
|
Alavese Unity (UA) |
14,034 | 11.05 | New |
3 | +3 |
|
People's Party (PP)1 |
13,758 | 10.83 | +3.98 |
3 | +2 |
|
Basque Solidarity (EA) |
10,332 | 8.13 | –6.41 |
2 | –2 |
|
Basque Country Left (EE) |
8,526 | 6.71 | –4.21 |
2 | –1 |
|
|
Democratic and Social Centre (CDS) |
2,436 | 1.92 | –6.08 |
0 | –2 |
|
United Left (IU/EB) |
1,451 | 1.14 | +0.83 |
0 | ±0 |
|
Ruiz-Mateos Group–European Democratic Alliance (ARM–ADE) |
1,213 | 0.95 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
Socialist Democracy (DS) |
803 | 0.63 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
The Ecologist Greens (LVE) |
676 | 0.53 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
Basque Country Greens (EHB) |
542 | 0.43 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
Workers' Socialist Party (PST) |
465 | 0.37 | +0.03 |
0 | ±0 |
|
Alliance for the Republic (AxR)2 |
178 | 0.14 | +0.01 |
0 | ±0 |
|
Humanist Party (PH) |
130 | 0.10 | –0.07 |
0 | ±0 |
|
Revolutionary Communist League–Communist Movement (LKI–EMK) |
114 | 0.09 | New |
0 | ±0 |
Blank ballots |
1,010 | 0.80 | +0.23 |
|
|
Total |
127,042 | |
25 | ±0 |
|
Valid votes |
127,042 | 99.32 | –0.05 |
|
Invalid votes |
868 | 0.68 | +0.05 |
Votes cast / turnout |
127,910 | 60.24 | –10.04 |
Abstentions |
84,441 | 39.76 | +10.04 |
Registered voters |
212,351 | |
|
Sources[9][10] |
|
1986 regional election
Summary of the 30 November 1986 Basque Parliament election results in Álava
Parties and coalitions |
Popular vote |
Seats |
Votes |
% |
±pp |
Total |
+/− |
|
Socialist Party of the Basque Country (PSE–PSOE) |
34,806 | 24.88 | –0.18 |
7 | ±0 |
|
Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV) |
28,103 | 20.09 | –15.40 |
5 | –4 |
|
Basque Solidarity (EA) |
20,349 | 14.54 | New |
4 | +4 |
|
Popular Unity (HB) |
17,912 | 12.80 | +2.02 |
3 | ±0 |
|
Basque Country Left (EE) |
15,277 | 10.92 | +3.25 |
3 | +1 |
|
Democratic and Social Centre (CDS) |
11,195 | 8.00 | New |
2 | +2 |
|
People's Alliance–Liberal Party (AP–PL)1 |
9,584 | 6.85 | –9.37 |
1 | –3 |
|
|
Workers' Socialist Party (PST) |
474 | 0.34 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
United Left (IU/EB) |
429 | 0.31 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
Communist Party of the Basque Country (PCE/EPK) |
389 | 0.28 | –0.62 |
0 | ±0 |
|
Humanist Party (PH) |
237 | 0.17 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
Internationalist Socialist Workers' Party (POSI) |
182 | 0.13 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
Republican Popular Unity (UPR) |
126 | 0.09 | New |
0 | ±0 |
Blank ballots2 |
799 | 0.57 | –0.23 |
|
|
Total |
139,905 | |
25 | ±0 |
|
Valid votes |
139,905 | 99.37 | +0.17 |
|
Invalid votes |
892 | 0.63 | –0.17 |
Votes cast / turnout |
140,797 | 70.28 | +3.09 |
Abstentions |
59,551 | 29.72 | –3.09 |
Registered voters |
200,348 | |
|
Sources[9][10] |
Footnotes: |
1 People's Alliance–Liberal Party results are compared to People's Coalition totals in the 1984 election.
2 The 1983 electoral law provided that blank ballots would not count as valid votes for the application of the 5 percent threshold in each district. However, this rule was not determinant in excluding any party from seat distribution during its time of application (the 1984 and 1986 elections). As a result, and for comparison purposes, blank ballots are shown here included within valid votes. |
|
1984 regional election
Summary of the 26 February 1984 Basque Parliament election results in Álava
Parties and coalitions |
Popular vote |
Seats |
Votes |
% |
±pp |
Total |
+/− |
|
Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV) |
44,583 | 35.49 | +5.43 |
9 | +2 |
|
Socialist Party of the Basque Country (PSE–PSOE) |
31,485 | 25.06 | +11.10 |
7 | +4 |
|
People's Coalition (AP–PDP–UL)1 |
20,380 | 16.22 | +10.49 |
4 | +3 |
|
Popular Unity (HB) |
13,539 | 10.78 | –3.28 |
3 | ±0 |
|
Basque Country Left (EE) |
9,633 | 7.67 | –1.51 |
2 | ±0 |
|
|
Left Socialist Candidacy (CSI) |
2,507 | 2.00 | New |
0 | ±0 |
|
Neighborhood Labor (Auzolan)2 |
1,368 | 1.09 | –0.09 |
0 | ±0 |
|
Communist Party of the Basque Country (PCE/EPK) |
1,127 | 0.90 | –2.11 |
0 | ±0 |
|
Union of the Democratic Centre (UCD) |
n/a | n/a | –19.68 |
0 | –4 |
Blank ballots3 |
1,001 | 0.80 | +0.22 |
|
|
Total |
125,623 | |
25 | +5 |
|
Valid votes |
125,623 | 99.20 | +0.12 |
|
Invalid votes |
1,011 | 0.80 | –0.12 |
Votes cast / turnout |
126,634 | 67.19 | +8.12 |
Abstentions |
61,832 | 32.81 | –8.12 |
Registered voters |
188,466 | |
|
Sources[9][10] |
Footnotes: |
1 People's Coalition results are compared to People's Alliance totals in the 1980 election.
2 Auzolan results are compared to the combined totals of Communist Movement of the Basque Country and Revolutionary Communist League in the 1980 election.
3 The 1983 electoral law provided that blank ballots would not count as valid votes for the application of the 5 percent threshold in each district. However, this rule was not determinant in excluding any party from seat distribution during its time of application (the 1984 and 1986 elections). As a result, and for comparison purposes, blank ballots are shown here included within valid votes. |
|
1980 regional election
Summary of the 9 March 1980 Basque Parliament election results in Álava
Parties and coalitions |
Popular vote |
Seats |
Votes |
% |
±pp |
Total |
+/− |
|
Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV) |
31,640 | 30.06 | n/a |
7 | n/a |
|
Union of the Democratic Centre (UCD) |
20,716 | 19.68 | n/a |
4 | n/a |
|
People's Unity (HB) |
14,804 | 14.06 | n/a |
3 | n/a |
|
Socialist Party of the Basque Country (PSE–PSOE) |
14,694 | 13.96 | n/a |
3 | n/a |
|
Basque Country Left (EE) |
9,658 | 9.18 | n/a |
2 | n/a |
|
People's Alliance (AP) |
6,029 | 5.73 | n/a |
1 | n/a |
|
Communist Party of the Basque Country (PCE/EPK) |
3,168 | 3.01 | n/a |
0 | n/a |
|
|
Basque Socialists' Unity Force (ESEI) |
1,366 | 1.30 | n/a |
0 | n/a |
|
Communist Movement of the Basque Country (EMK/MCE) |
797 | 0.76 | n/a |
0 | n/a |
|
Workers' Party of the Basque Country (ORT–PTE) |
726 | 0.69 | n/a |
0 | n/a |
|
Carlist Party (EKA/PC) |
461 | 0.44 | n/a |
0 | n/a |
|
Revolutionary Communist League (LKI/LCR) |
438 | 0.42 | n/a |
0 | n/a |
|
Communist Unity (UC) |
158 | 0.15 | n/a |
0 | n/a |
Blank ballots |
609 | 0.58 | n/a |
|
|
Total |
105,264 | |
20 | n/a |
|
Valid votes |
105,264 | 99.08 | n/a |
|
Invalid votes |
975 | 0.92 | n/a |
Votes cast / turnout |
106,239 | 59.07 | n/a |
Abstentions |
73,605 | 40.93 | n/a |
Registered voters |
179,844 | |
|
Sources[9][10] |