1991 Spanish local elections explained

Election Name:1991 Spanish local elections
Country:Spain
Type:parliamentary
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1987 Spanish local elections
Previous Year:1987
Next Election:1995 Spanish local elections
Next Year:1995
Seats For Election:66,308 councillors in 8,060 municipal councils
1,032 seats in 38 provincial deputations
Registered:30,223,384
Turnout:18,973,514 (62.8%)
6.6 pp
Election Date:26 May 1991
Leader1:Felipe González
Party1:Spanish Socialist Workers' Party
Leader Since1:13 October 1974
Last Election1:23,241 c., 37.1%
Seats1:25,260
Seat Change1:2,019
Popular Vote1:7,224,242
Percentage1:38.3%
Swing1:1.2 pp
Leader2:José María Aznar
Party2:People's Party (Spain)
Leader Since2:4 September 1989
Last Election2:17,805 c., 22.3%
Seats2:19,543
Seat Change2:1,738
Popular Vote2:4,843,733
Percentage2:25.7%
Swing2:3.4 pp
Leader3:Julio Anguita
Party3:United Left (Spain)
Leader Since3:12 February 1989
Last Election3:2,576 c., 7.9%
Seats3:2,625
Seat Change3:49
Popular Vote3:1,582,703
Percentage3:8.4%
Swing3:0.5 pp
Leader4:Jordi Pujol
Party4:Convergence and Union
Leader Since4:19 September 1978
Last Election4:4,350 c., 5.2%
Seats4:4,360
Seat Change4:10
Popular Vote4:915,291
Percentage4:4.9%
Swing4:0.3 pp
Leader5:Adolfo Suárez
Party5:Democratic and Social Centre (Spain)
Leader Since5:29 July 1982
Last Election5:6,173 c., 9.9%
Seats5:2,939
Seat Change5:3,234
Popular Vote5:731,331
Percentage5:3.9%
Swing5:6.0 pp
Leader6:Pedro Pacheco
Party6:Andalusian Party
Leader Since6:June 1986
Last Election6:294 c., 1.1%
Seats6:540
Seat Change6:246
Popular Vote6:342,927
Percentage6:1.8%
Swing6:0.7 pp
Map Size:435px

The 1991 Spanish local elections were held on Sunday, 26 May 1991, to elect all 66,308 councillors in the 8,060 municipalities of Spain and all 1,032 seats in 38 provincial deputations.[1] [2] The elections were held simultaneously with regional elections in thirteen autonomous communities, as well as local elections in the three foral deputations of the Basque Country and the ten island councils in the Balearic and Canary Islands.

Electoral system

Municipal electionsMunicipalities in Spain were local corporations with independent legal personality. They had a governing body, the municipal council or corporation, composed of a mayor, deputy mayors and a plenary assembly of councillors. Voting for the local assemblies was on the basis of universal suffrage, with all nationals over eighteen, registered in the corresponding municipality and in full enjoyment of all political rights entitled to vote. The mayor was in turn elected by the plenary assembly, with a legal clause providing for the candidate of the most-voted party to be automatically elected to the post in the event no other candidate was to gather an absolute majority of votes.

Local councillors were elected using the D'Hondt method and a closed list proportional representation, with an electoral threshold of five percent of valid votes—which included blank ballots—being applied in each local council. Councillors were allocated to municipal councils based on the following scale:

PopulationCouncillors
<2505
251–1,0007
1,001–2,0009
2,001–5,00011
5,001–10,00013
10,001–20,00017
20,001–50,00021
50,001–100,00025
>100,001+1 per each 100,000 inhabitants or fraction
+1 if total is an even number

Councillors of municipalities with populations between 100 and 250 inhabitants were elected under an open list partial block voting, with electors voting for individual candidates instead of parties and for up to four candidates. Additionally, municipalities below 100 inhabitants, as well as those whose geographical location or the best management of municipal interests or other circumstances made it advisable, were to be organized through the open council system (Spanish; Castilian: régimen de concejo abierto), in which voters would directly elect the local major.[3] [4] [5]

The electoral law provided that parties, federations, coalitions and groupings of electors were allowed to present lists of candidates. However, groupings of electors were required to secure the signature of a determined amount of the electors registered in the municipality for which they sought election:

Electors were 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 were required to inform the relevant Electoral Commission within ten days of the election being called.[3] [4]

Deputations and island councilsProvincial deputations were the governing bodies of provinces in Spain, having an administration role of municipal activities and composed of a provincial president, an administrative body, and a plenary. Basque provinces had foral deputations instead—called Juntas Generales—, whereas deputations for single-province autonomous communities were abolished: their functions transferred to the corresponding regional parliaments. For insular provinces, such as the Balearic and Canary Islands, deputations were replaced by island councils in each of the islands or group of islands. For Majorca, Menorca and IbizaFormentera this figure was referred to in Spanish as consejo insular (Catalan; Valencian: consell insular), whereas for Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, La Gomera, El Hierro, Lanzarote and La Palma its name was cabildo insular.

Most deputations were indirectly elected by local councillors from municipalities in each judicial district. Seats were allocated to provincial deputations based on the following scale:

PopulationSeats
<500,00025
500,001–1,000,00027
1,000,001–3,500,00031
>3,500,00151

Island councils and foral deputations were elected directly by electors under their own, specific electoral regulations.[3] [4]

Municipal elections

Overall

← Summary of the 26 May 1991 municipal election results in Spain →
Parties and coalitionsPopular voteCouncillors
Votes%±ppTotal+/−
Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)7,224,242 38.34 +1.2625,260 +2,019
People's Party (PP)4,843,733 25.71 +3.4519,543 +1,738
People's Party (PP)14,775,051 25.34 +3.3819,298 +1,654
Navarrese People's Union (UPN)268,682 0.36 +0.06245 +84
United Left (IU)1,582,703 8.40 +0.532,625 +49
United Left (IU)31,579,097 8.38 +0.532,614 +48
Agreement of the Left of Menorca (PSMEU)3,606 0.02 ±0.0011 +1
Convergence and Union (CiU)915,291 4.86 –0.294,360 +10
Democratic and Social Centre (CDS)4731,331 3.88 –6.042,939 –3,234
Andalusian Party (PA)342,927 1.82 +0.68540 +246
Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV)299,840 1.59 +0.35993 +174
Popular Unity (HB)199,090 1.06 –0.17701 +32
Valencian Union (UV)187,385 0.99 +0.23335 +120
Canarian Independent Groups (AIC)140,462 0.75 +0.03281 +38
Basque Solidarity (EA)131,384 0.70 –0.36393 –104
Aragonese Party (PAR)128,025 0.68 +0.021,221 +325
Galician Nationalist Bloc (BNG)107,932 0.57 +0.26241 +102
Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC)92,003 0.49 +0.10228 +40
The Greens (LV)82,361 0.44 +0.345 +3
Union for the Progress of Cantabria (UPCA)71,683 0.38 New285 +285
Basque Country Left (EE)71,382 0.38 –0.17105 –52
Valencian People's Union (UPV)54,951 0.29 +0.1492 +27
Galician Nationalist Convergence (CGCdG)652,196 0.28 –0.33137 –269
Galician Socialist Party–Galician Left (PSG–EG)39,116 0.21 –0.0846 –14
Party of the Communists of Catalonia (PCC)30,802 0.16 New25 +25
Party of the Communists of Catalonia (PCC)14,521 0.08 New4 +4
Left Proposal–Party of the Communists of Catalonia (PEC–PCC)9,468 0.05 New5 +5
Left Proposal for Catalonia (PEC)6,813 0.04 New16 +16
Canarian Nationalist Assembly (ACN)726,188 0.14 –0.0730 –10
The Greens EcologistHumanist List (PH–LE–FV)25,136 0.13 –0.020 ±0
The Greens EcologistHumanist List (LVLE–H)816,408 0.09 –0.040 ±0
The Ecologists (LE)8,495 0.05 New0 ±0
Humanist Party (PH)233 0.00 New0 ±0
Ruiz-Mateos Group (ARM)23,404 0.12 New0 ±0
Independent Solution (SI)21,951 0.12 –0.2561 –68
Alavese Unity (UA)21,269 0.11 New39 +39
Socialist Party of Majorca–Nationalists of Majorca (PSM–NM)20,981 0.11 +0.0554 +29
Liberal Independent Group (GIL)20,531 0.11 New19 +19
Regionalist Party of Cantabria (PRC)18,966 0.10 –0.0469 –31
Regional Electoral Coalition (PCAN–PRM)916,180 0.09 –0.0512 +2
Workers' Socialist Party (PST)11,366 0.06 +0.050 ±0
Asturian Coalition (PASUNA)1010,891 0.06 +0.046 +4
Spanish Phalanx of the CNSO (FE–JONS)10,829 0.06 –0.0411 +5
Aragonese Union (CHA)10,196 0.05 +0.0316 +14
Independent Union of Majorca–Independents of Majorca (UIM–IM)10,159 0.05 New21 +21
Green Union (UVE–LVA)9,943 0.05 New0 ±0
Leonese People's Union (UPL)9,595 0.05 +0.0328 +15
Progress and Future of Ceuta (PFC)9,420 0.05 New11 +11
Granadin Unity (UG)9,333 0.05 New53 +53
Socialist Democracy (DS)8,747 0.05 New4 +4
Riojan Party (PR)8,461 0.04 ±082 +31
United Extremadura (EU)8,392 0.04 –0.0532 –80
Others988,562 5.25 5,405 –887
Blank ballots212,201 1.13 +0.02
Total18,841,540 100.00 66,308 +731
Valid votes18,841,540 99.30 +0.56
Invalid votes131,974 0.70 –0.56
Votes cast / turnout18,973,514 62.78 –6.64
Abstentions11,249,870 37.22 +6.64
Registered voters30,223,384
Sources[6] [7]

City control

The following table lists party control in provincial capitals, as well as in municipalities above or around 75,000.[8] Gains for a party are highlighted in that party's colour.

MunicipalityPopulationPrevious controlNew control
A Coruña256,579Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Albacete129,002Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Alcalá de Henares155,548Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Alcobendas78,295Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Alcorcón141,080Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Algeciras102,079Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Alicante267,485Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Almería161,566Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Ávila46,992Democratic and Social Centre (CDS)People's Party (PP)
Avilés88,429Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Badajoz126,781Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Badalona225,207Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC–PSOE)Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC–PSOE)
Barakaldo108,588Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Barcelona1,707,286Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC–PSOE)Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC–PSOE)
Bilbao383,798Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV)Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV)
Burgos163,507People's Party (PP)People's Party (PP)
Cáceres73,915Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Cádiz156,903Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Cartagena175,966Cantonal Party (PCAN)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Castellón de la Plana135,863Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)People's Party (PP)
Ciudad Real58,175Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Córdoba307,275United Left (IU)United Left (IU)
Cornellà de Llobregat86,287Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC–PSOE)Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC–PSOE)
Cuenca43,209People's Party (PP)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Dos Hermanas72,717Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Elche184,912Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Ferrol86,272Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)People's Party (PP)
Fuenlabrada141,496Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Getafe139,068Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Getxo81,795Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV)Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV)
Gijón264,948Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Girona70,893Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC–PSOE)Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC–PSOE)
Granada268,674Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Guadalajara63,581Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)United Left (IU)
Huelva141,002Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Huesca42,805Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Jaén109,338People's Party (PP)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Jerez de la Frontera186,812Andalusian Party (PA)Andalusian Party (PA)
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat276,198Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC–PSOE)Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC–PSOE)
Las Palmas373,846Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Democratic and Social Centre (CDS)
Leganés172,729Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
León137,758People's Party (PP)People's Party (PP)
Lleida111,825Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC–PSOE)Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC–PSOE)
Logroño121,911Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Lugo81,493Galician Coalition (CG)People's Party (PP)
Madrid3,120,732Democratic and Social Centre (CDS)People's Party (PP)
Málaga560,495Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Marbella81,876Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Liberal Independent Group (GIL)
Mataró101,882Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC–PSOE)Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC–PSOE)
Móstoles189,707Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Murcia322,911Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Ourense109,283Independents of Galicia (IG)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Oviedo194,637Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)People's Party (PP)
Palencia77,464People's Party (PP)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Palma325,120Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)People's Party (PP)
Pamplona183,525Navarrese People's Union (UPN)Navarrese People's Union (UPN)
Pontevedra70,356Independents of Galicia (IG)People's Party (PP)
Reus86,407Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC–PSOE)Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC–PSOE)
Sabadell192,142Initiative for Catalonia (IC)Initiative for Catalonia (IC)
Salamanca162,037People's Party (PP)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
San Cristóbal de La Laguna118,548Canarian Independent Groups (AIC)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
San Fernando83,923Andalusian Party (PA)Andalusian Party (PA)
San Sebastián183,944Basque Solidarity (EA)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Sant Boi de Llobregat78,882Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC–PSOE)Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC–PSOE)
Santa Coloma de Gramenet135,486Initiative for Catalonia (IC)Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC–PSOE)
Santa Cruz de Tenerife222,892Canarian Independent Groups (AIC)Canarian Independent Groups (AIC)
Santander194,221People's Party (PP)People's Party (PP)
Santiago de Compostela91,419Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Segovia55,188Democratic and Social Centre (CDS)People's Party (PP)
Seville678,218Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Andalusian Party (PA)
Soria32,609People's Party (PP)People's Party (PP)
Tarragona112,360Convergence and Union (CiU)Convergence and Union (CiU)
Telde78,978United Left (IU)Nationalist Canarian Assembly (ACN)
Terrassa161,682Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC–PSOE)Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC–PSOE)
Teruel28,488Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Aragonese Party (PAR)
Toledo60,671People's Party (PP)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Torrejón de Ardoz86,678Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Valencia758,738Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)People's Party (PP)
Valladolid333,680Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Vigo279,986Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Vitoria-Gasteiz209,506Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV)Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV)
Zamora63,436People's Party (PP)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Zaragoza592,686Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)

Provincial deputations

Summary

← Summary of the 26 May 1991 provincial deputations election results →
Parties and coalitionsSeats
Total+/−
Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)524 +35
People's Party (PP)1337 +38
Convergence and Union (CiU)68 +1
United Left (IU)36 –4
Andalusian Party (PA)15 +6
Aragonese Party (PAR)15 +2
Democratic and Social Centre (CDS)14 –63
Galician Nationalist Convergence (CGCdG)210 –3
Valencian Union (UV)4 +1
Galician Nationalist Bloc (BNG)3 +2
Liberal Independent Group (GIL)2 +2
Valencian People's Union (UPV)1 +1
Leonese People's Union (UPL)1 +1
Others2 –15
Total1,032 +4
Sources

Deputation control

The following table lists party control in provincial deputations.[2] Gains for a party are highlighted in that party's colour.

ProvincePrevious controlNew control
A CoruñaSpanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
AlbaceteSpanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
AlicanteSpanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
AlmeríaSpanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
ÁvilaDemocratic and Social Centre (CDS)Democratic and Social Centre (CDS)
BadajozSpanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
BarcelonaSocialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC–PSOE)Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC–PSOE)
BurgosPeople's Party (PP)People's Party (PP)
CáceresSpanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
CádizSpanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
CastellónSpanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Ciudad RealSpanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
CórdobaSpanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
CuencaSpanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
GironaConvergence and Union (CiU)Convergence and Union (CiU)
GranadaSpanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
GuadalajaraPeople's Party (PP)People's Party (PP)
HuelvaSpanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
HuescaSpanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
JaénSpanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
LeónSpanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
LleidaConvergence and Union (CiU)Convergence and Union (CiU)
LugoPeople's Party (PP)People's Party (PP)
MálagaSpanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
OurenseCentrists of Galicia (CdG)Centrists of Galicia (CdG)
PalenciaPeople's Party (PP)People's Party (PP)
PontevedraPeople's Party (PP)People's Party (PP)
SalamancaDemocratic and Social Centre (CDS)Independent (INDEP)
SegoviaSpanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)People's Party (PP)
SevilleSpanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
SoriaPeople's Party (PP)People's Party (PP)
TarragonaConvergence and Union (CiU)Convergence and Union (CiU)
TeruelSpanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)People's Party (PP)
ToledoPeople's Party (PP)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
ValenciaSpanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
ValladolidPeople's Party (PP)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
ZamoraPeople's Party (PP)People's Party (PP)
ZaragozaSpanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Municipal elections in Spain 1979-2011 . interior.gob.es . Ministry of the Interior . es . 12 August 2017.
  2. Web site: Provincial deputation elections since 1979 . es . historiaelectoral.com . 24 September 2017.
  3. General Electoral System Organic Law of 1985 . Organic Law . 5 . . es . 19 June 1985 . 28 December 2016.
  4. Web site: Representation of the people Institutional Act . . . juntaelectoralcentral.es . Central Electoral Commission . 16 June 2017.
  5. Regulation of the Basis of Local Regimes Law of 1985 . Law . 7 . . es . 2 April 1985 . 27 August 2017.
  6. Web site: Electoral Results Consultation. Municipal. May 1991. National totals . es . infoelectoral.mir.es . Ministry of the Interior . 24 September 2017.
  7. Web site: Municipal elections (overall results 1979-2011) . es . historiaelectoral.com . 24 September 2017.
  8. Web site: Municipal elections (city majors by party) . historiaelectoral.com . Historia Electoral . es . 24 February 2018.