2005 Basque regional election explained

Election Name:2005 Basque regional election
Country:Basque Country
Type:parliamentary
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2001 Basque regional election
Previous Year:2001
Next Election:2009 Basque regional election
Next Year:2009
Seats For Election:All 75 seats in the Basque Parliament
Majority Seats:38
Opinion Polls:
  1. Opinion polls
Registered:1,799,523 0.8%
Turnout:1,223,634 (68.0%)
11.0 pp
Election Date:17 April 2005
Leader1:Juan José Ibarretxe
Party1:PNV–EA
Leader Since1:31 January 1998
Leaders Seat1:Álava
Last Election1:33 seats, 42.4%
Seats1:29
Seat Change1:4
Popular Vote1:468,117
Percentage1:38.4%
Swing1:4.0 pp
Leader2:Patxi López
Party2:PSE–EE (PSOE)
Leader Since2:23 March 2002
Leaders Seat2:Biscay
Last Election2:13 seats, 17.8%
Seats2:18
Seat Change2:5
Popular Vote2:274,546
Percentage2:22.5%
Swing2:4.7 pp
Leader3:María San Gil
Party3:People's Party of the Basque Country
Leader Since3:6 November 2004
Leaders Seat3:Guipúzcoa
Last Election3:19 seats, 22.9%
Seats3:15
Seat Change3:4
Popular Vote3:210,614
Percentage3:17.3%
Swing3:5.6 pp
Leader4:Maite Aranburu
Party4:Communist Party of the Basque Homelands
Leader Since4:2005
Leaders Seat4:Biscay
Last Election4:7 seats, 10.0%
Seats4:9
Seat Change4:2
Popular Vote4:150,644
Percentage4:12.4%
Swing4:2.4 pp
Leader5:Javier Madrazo
Party5:United Left–Greens
Leader Since5:14 May 1994
Leaders Seat5:Biscay
Last Election5:3 seats, 5.5%
Seats5:3
Seat Change5:0
Popular Vote5:65,023
Percentage5:5.3%
Swing5:0.2 pp
Leader6:Aintzane Ezenarro
Party6:Aralar (Basque political party)
Leader Since6:14 November 2004
Leaders Seat6:Guipúzcoa
Last Election6:Did not contest
Seats6:1
Seat Change6:1
Popular Vote6:28,180
Percentage6:2.3%
Swing6:New party
Lehendakari
Before Election:Juan José Ibarretxe
Before Party:Basque Nationalist Party
After Election:Juan José Ibarretxe
After Party:Basque Nationalist Party

The 2005 Basque regional election was held on Sunday, 17 April 2005, to elect the 8th Parliament of the Basque Autonomous Community. All 75 seats in the Parliament were up for election.

The electoral coalition Basque Nationalist PartyBasque Solidarity (PNV–EA) won 29 seats, the Socialist Party of the Basque Country–Basque Country Left (PSE–EE) came second with 18 seats, the People's Party (PP) came in third with 15 seats. The controversial Communist Party of the Basque Homelands (PCTV/EHAK) won 9 seats, having been endorsed by the banned Batasuna party.

Overview

Electoral system

The Basque Parliament was the devolved, unicameral legislature of the autonomous community of the Basque Country, having legislative power in regional matters as defined by the Spanish Constitution and the Basque Statute of Autonomy, as well as the ability to vote confidence in or withdraw it from a lehendakari.[1] Voting for the Parliament was on the basis of universal suffrage, which comprised all nationals over 18 years of age, registered in the Basque Country and in full enjoyment of their political rights.

The 75 members of the Basque Parliament were elected using the D'Hondt method and a closed list proportional representation, with an electoral threshold of three percent of valid votes—which included blank ballots—being applied in each constituency. Seats were allocated to constituencies, corresponding to the provinces of Álava, Biscay and Guipúzcoa, with each being allocated a fixed number of 25 seats in order to provide for an equal parliamentary representation of the three provinces, as required under the regional statute of autonomy.[1] [2]

Election date

The term of the Basque Parliament expired four years after the date of its previous election, unless it was dissolved earlier. The election decree was required to be issued no later than the twenty-fifth day prior to the date of expiry of parliament and published on the following day in the Official Gazette of the Basque Country (BOPV), with election day taking place on the fifty-fourth day from publication. The previous election was held on 13 May 2001, which meant that the legislature's term would have expired on 13 May 2005. The election decree was required to be published in the BOPV no later than 19 April 2005, with the election taking place on the fifty-fourth day from publication, setting the latest possible election date for the Parliament on Sunday, 12 June 2005.[1] [2]

The lehendakari had the prerogative to dissolve the Basque Parliament at any given time and call a snap election, provided that no motion of no confidence was in process. In the event of an investiture process failing to elect a lehendakari within a sixty-day period from the Parliament re-assembly, the Parliament was to be dissolved and a fresh election called.[3]

Parties and candidates

The electoral law allowed for parties and federations registered in the interior ministry, coalitions and groupings of electors to present lists of candidates. Parties and federations intending to form a coalition ahead of an election were required to inform the relevant Electoral Commission within ten days of the election call, whereas groupings of electors needed to secure the signature of at least one percent of the electorate in the constituencies for which they sought election, disallowing electors from signing for more than one list of candidates.[2] [4]

Below is a list of the main parties and electoral alliances which contested the election:

CandidacyParties and
alliances
Leading candidateIdeologyPrevious result
Votes (%)Seats
PNV–EAJuan José IbarretxeBasque nationalism
Christian democracy
Conservative liberalism
42.38%
PPMaría San GilConservatism
Christian democracy
22.93%[5]
[6]
[7]
PSE–EE
(PSOE)
Patxi LópezSocial democracy17.76%[8]
[9]
PCTV/EHAKMaite AranburuBasque independence
Abertzale left
Communism
10.04%
EB–BJavier MadrazoEco-socialism
Social democracy
Democratic socialism
5.53%
UAEnriqueta BenitoAlavese regionalism
Christian democracy
AralarAintzane EzenarroBasque independence
Left-wing nationalism
Democratic socialism

Opinion polls

The table below lists voting intention estimates in reverse chronological order, showing the most recent first and using the dates when the survey fieldwork was done, as opposed to the date of publication. Where the fieldwork dates are unknown, the date of publication is given instead. The highest percentage figure in each polling survey is displayed with its background shaded in the leading party's colour. If a tie ensues, this is applied to the figures with the highest percentages. The "Lead" column on the right shows the percentage-point difference between the parties with the highest percentages in a poll. When available, seat projections determined by the polling organisations are displayed below (or in place of) the percentages in a smaller font; 38 seats were required for an absolute majority in the Basque Parliament.

Results

Overall

← Summary of the 17 April 2005 Basque Parliament election results →
Parties and alliancesPopular voteSeats
Votes%±ppTotal+/−
Basque Nationalist Party–Basque Solidarity (PNVEA)468,117 38.38 –4.0029 –4
Socialist Party of the Basque Country–Basque Country Left (PSE–EE (PSOE))274,546 22.51 +4.7518 +5
People's Party (PP)210,614 17.27 –5.6615 –4
Communist Party of the Basque Homelands (PCTV/EHAK)1150,644 12.35 +2.319 +2
United Left–Greens (EB–B)265,023 5.33 –0.203 ±0
Aralar (Aralar)28,180 2.31 New1 +1
Alavese Unity (UA)4,117 0.34 New0 ±0
GreensAnti-Bullfighting Party Against Mistreatment of Animals (B–PACMA)4,049 0.33 New0 ±0
Internationalist Socialist Workers' Party (POSI)2,354 0.19 New0 ±0
Humanist Party (PH)1,514 0.12 –0.140 ±0
For a Fairer World (PUM+J)1,261 0.10 New0 ±0
Carlist Party of the Basque Country–Carlist Party (EKA–PC)179 0.01 –0.030 ±0
Blank ballots9,001 0.74 –0.07
Total1,219,599 75 ±0
Valid votes1,219,599 99.67 +0.10
Invalid votes4,035 0.33 –0.10
Votes cast / turnout1,223,634 68.00 –10.97
Abstentions575,889 32.00 +10.97
Registered voters1,799,523
Sources[59] [60]

Distribution by constituency

ConstituencyPNV–EAPSE–EEPPEHAKEB–BAralar
data-sort-type="number"%data-sort-type="number"Sdata-sort-type="number"%data-sort-type="number"Sdata-sort-type="number"%data-sort-type="number"Sdata-sort-type="number"%data-sort-type="number"Sdata-sort-type="number"%data-sort-type="number"Sdata-sort-type="number"%data-sort-type="number"S
Álava30.4825.3725.8713.224.911.5
Biscay40.71123.2617.5510.025.511.6
Guipúzcoa38.01020.1513.2318.155.213.91
Total38.42922.51817.31512.495.332.31
Sources

Aftermath

Investiture
Ballot →22 June 200523 June 2005
Required majority →38 out of 75Simple
Absentees
Sources

References

Opinion poll sources
Other

Notes and References

  1. Ley Orgánica 3/1979, de 18 de diciembre, de Estatuto de Autonomía para el País Vasco] ]. Organic Law . 3 . es . 18 December 1979 . 17 July 2017.
  2. Ley 5/1990, de 15 de junio, de Elecciones al Parlamento Vasco . Law . 5 . es . 15 June 1990 . 17 July 2017.
  3. Ley 7/1981, de 30 de junio, sobre Ley de Gobierno . Law . 7 . es . 30 June 1981 . 17 July 2017.
  4. Ley Orgánica 5/1985, de 19 de junio, del Régimen Electoral General . Organic Law . 5 . es . 19 June 1985 . 28 December 2016.
  5. News: 25 June 2004 . María San Gil liderará el PP en el País Vasco tras el congreso nacional . es . El Mundo . 6 July 2020.
  6. News: 25 June 2004 . María San Gil será la candidata a 'lehendakari' por el PP para las próximas elecciones autonómicas . es . El Mundo . 6 July 2020.
  7. News: 6 November 2004 . María San Gil, elegida presidenta del PP vasco con el 88% de los votos . es . La Vanguardia . 6 July 2020.
  8. News: 23 March 2002 . Patxi López liderará a los socialistas vascos con un apoyo mayoritario del 57% . es . El País . 6 July 2020.
  9. News: 1 March 2005 . El hombre-talante vasco . es . El Mundo . 6 July 2020.
  10. Web site: SONDEOS Y MUESTREOS: Baja el PNV, sube ETA y el PSE se coloca como segunda fuerza . es . Libertad Digital . 17 April 2005.
  11. Web site: La jornada electoral, al minuto . es . El Mundo . 17 April 2005.
  12. Web site: Ibarretxe gana las elecciones pero no logra una mayoría clara para llevar adelante su plan . es . La Vanguardia . 17 April 2005.
  13. Web site: El PSOE y el PP se consolidan por delante del tripartito . https://web.archive.org/web/20050418185918/http://www.cadenaser.com/comunes/2005/eleccionesvascas/minuto.html . dead . 18 April 2005 . es . Cadena SER . 17 April 2005 . 24 February 2021 .
  14. Web site: PNV-EA ganaría elecciones vascas sin mayoría absoluta-sondeos . es . 20 minutos . 17 April 2005.
  15. Web site: La irrupción del voto radical dificulta la mayoría absoluta del tripartito vasco . es . El País . 10 April 2005.
  16. Web site: El voto a los radicales de EHAK pone en peligro la mayoría absoluta del actual Gobierno vasco . es . El País . 10 April 2005.
  17. Web site: El PNV afronta la recta final de la campaña a cuatro escaños de la mayoría absoluta . es . Cadena SER . 11 April 2005.
  18. Web site: Intención de voto elecciones autonómicas 2005. Total País Vasco (Pulsómetro 11/04/2005) . https://web.archive.org/web/20050411223428/http://www.cadenaser.com/static/pulsometro/anteriores/encuesta_050411.htm . dead . 11 April 2005 . es . Cadena SER . 11 April 2005 . 24 February 2021 .
  19. Web site: El Partido Comunista de las Tierras Vascas, heredero del voto de Batasuna, aleja al PNV de la mayoría absoluta . es . Cadena SER . 10 April 2005.
  20. Web site: Intención de voto elecciones autonómicas 2005. Total País Vasco (Pulsómetro 10/04/2005) . https://web.archive.org/web/20050411054355/http://www.cadenaser.com/static/pulsometro/anteriores/encuesta_050410.htm . dead . 11 April 2005 . es . Cadena SER . 10 April 2005 . 24 February 2021 .
  21. Web site: Intención de voto elecciones autonómicas 2005. Total País Vasco (Pulsómetro 09/04/2005) . https://web.archive.org/web/20050411014902/http://www.cadenaser.com/static/pulsometro/anteriores/encuesta_050409.htm . dead . 11 April 2005 . es . Cadena SER . 9 April 2005 . 24 February 2021 .
  22. Web site: El tripartito obtendrá mayoría absoluta en las elecciones vascas y el PCTV logrará cuatro escaños . es . El Mundo . 10 April 2005.
  23. Web site: Intención de voto en el País Vasco . es . El Mundo . 10 April 2005.
  24. Web site: El PNV repite victoria pero apenas avanza . es . La Vanguardia . 10 April 2005.
  25. Web site: Elecciones Autonómicas 2005. Previsiones de voto (Abril 2005) . es . Basque Government . 8 April 2005.
  26. Web site: Vitoria tampoco da mayoría a PNV-EA . es . La Vanguardia . 9 April 2005.
  27. Web site: Ibarretxe asegura que "el clamor de la sociedad vasca" forzará la negociación entre Euskadi y Madrid . es . Cadena SER . 7 April 2005.
  28. Web site: Intención de voto elecciones autonómicas 2005. Total País Vasco (Pulsómetro 07/04/2005) . https://web.archive.org/web/20050407122658/http://www.cadenaser.com/static/pulsometro/anteriores/encuesta_050407.htm . dead . 7 April 2005 . es . Cadena SER . 7 April 2005 . 24 February 2021 .
  29. Web site: Dos sondeos quitan la mayoría absoluta al tripartito y otorgan entre cinco y seis escaños al PCTV . es . Libertad Digital . 9 April 2005.
  30. Web site: Intención de voto elecciones autonómicas 2005. Total País Vasco (Pulsómetro 06/04/2005) . https://web.archive.org/web/20050408055701/http://www.cadenaser.com/static/pulsometro/anteriores/encuesta_050406.htm . dead . 8 April 2005 . es . Cadena SER . 6 April 2005 . 24 February 2021 .
  31. Web site: Preelectoral del País Vasco. Elecciones autonómicas 2005 (Estudio nº 2598. Marzo-Abril 2005) . es . CIS . 8 April 2005.
  32. Web site: Estudio CIS nº 2598. Ficha técnica . es . CIS . 8 April 2005.
  33. Web site: PNV-EA ganaría pero necesitaría a EB para obtener la mayoría, según una encuesta del CIS . es . El Mundo . 8 April 2005.
  34. Web site: El tripartito PNV-EA-EB consolida su mayoría a la espera del "efecto EHAK" . es . ABC . 10 April 2005.
  35. Web site: Intención de voto . es . ABC . 10 April 2005.
  36. Web site: Segundo Pulsómetro: PNV-EA sigue manteniendo la mayoría absoluta . es . Cadena SER . 2 April 2005.
  37. Web site: LA RAZÓN. 2005eko apirilak 3 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060619060026/http://www.euskadi.net/elecinf/encuestas/abr05_razon_e.htm . dead . 19 June 2006 . Basque . Celeste-Tel . 3 April 2005 . 24 February 2021 .
  38. Web site: La coalición PNV-EA lograría mayoría absoluta en el Parlamento Vasco . es . Cadena SER . 1 April 2005.
  39. Web site: Situación política y social del País Vasco, XIV (Estudio nº 2593. Febrero-Marzo 2005) . es . CIS . 30 March 2005.
  40. Web site: Estudio CIS nº 2593. Ficha técnica . es . CIS . 30 March 2005.
  41. Web site: El PNV roza la mayoría absoluta o se la asegura con IU, según el CIS . es . La Vanguardia . 31 March 2005.
  42. Web site: La última encuesta socialista . es . ABC . 21 March 2005.
  43. Web site: PNV-EA-EB alcanzan la mayoría absoluta . es . ABC . 20 March 2005.
  44. Web site: El tripartito vasco alcanza la mayoría absoluta . es . El País . 27 February 2005.
  45. Web site: Elecciones Autonómicas 2005. Previsiones de voto (Febrero 2005) . es . Basque Government . February 2005.
  46. Web site: Estimaciones Electorales del Euskobarómetro al Parlamento Vasco (Noviembre 2004) . https://web.archive.org/web/20050122031135/http://www.ehu.es/cpvweb/pags_directas/euskobarometroFR.html . dead . 22 January 2005 . es . EHU . 20 January 2005 . 24 February 2021 .
  47. Web site: PNV-EA ganaría elecciones Euskadi, sin mayoría absoluta -sondeo . es . 20 minutos . 20 January 2005.
  48. Web site: La coalición PNV-EA ganaría los comicios vascos sin mayoría absoluta . es . El País . 21 January 2005.
  49. Web site: Estimaciones Electorales del Euskobarómetro al Parlamento Vasco (Mayo 2004) . https://web.archive.org/web/20040811042851/http://www.ehu.es/cpvweb/paginas/euskobar_estimaciones.html . dead . 11 August 2004 . es . EHU . 16 July 2004 . 24 February 2021 .
  50. Web site: El Euskobarómetro no concede mayoría absoluta al tripartito vasco . es . Cadena SER . 16 July 2004.
  51. Web site: El Gobierno tripartito vasco no lograría hoy la mayoría absoluta . es . El País . 17 July 2004.
  52. Web site: Estimaciones Electorales del Euskobarómetro al Parlamento Vasco (Noviembre 2003) . https://web.archive.org/web/20040218134502/http://www.ehu.es/cpvweb/paginas/euskobar_estimaciones.html . dead . 18 February 2004 . es . EHU . 16 January 2004 . 24 February 2021 .
  53. Web site: La mayoría absoluta en el Parlamento vasco dependería del escaño que disputan PSE e IU . es . ABC . 17 January 2004.
  54. Web site: El PNV y EA no consiguen mayoría absoluta, pese a la ausencia de Batasuna . es . El País . 17 January 2004.
  55. Web site: Encuesta Euskobarómetro (Noviembre de 2002) . https://web.archive.org/web/20030303180356/http://www.ehu.es/cpvweb/paginas/ultimoeusko/ultimoeusko_01.html . dead . 3 March 2003 . es . EHU . 20 November 2002 . 24 February 2021 .
  56. Web site: Instituciones y autonomías, II. CA del País Vasco (Estudio nº 2455. Septiembre-Octubre 2002) . es . CIS . 19 November 2002.
  57. Web site: El PP, partido más votado en diez Comunidades Autónomas . es . El Mundo . 19 November 2002.
  58. Web site: El PP ganaría las autonómicas en diez Comunidades y el PSOE en cuatro, según el CIS . es . ABC . 20 November 2002.
  59. Web site: Elecciones al Parlamento Vasco / Eusko Legebilitzarra (1980 - 2020) . es . Historia Electoral.com . 24 September 2017.
  60. Web site: Election Results Archive . es . euskadi.eus . Basque Government . 24 September 2017.