1994 European Parliament election in Portugal

1994 European Parliament election in Portugal

12 June 1994
25 seats to the European Parliament
Turnout	35.5% 15.6 pp
First party Second party   Leader António Vitorino Eurico de Melo Party PS PSD Alliance PES EPP Last election 8 seats 9 seats Seats won 10 9 Seat change 2 0 Popular vote 1,061,560 1,046,918 Percentage 34.9% 34.4% Swing 6.3 pp 1.6 pp   Third party Fourth party   Leader Manuel Monteiro Luis Manuel de Sá Party CDS–PP Democratic Unitarian Coalition Alliance EDA GUE/NGL Last election 3 seats 4 seats Seats won 3 3 Seat change 0 1 Popular vote 379,044 340,725 Percentage 12.5% 11.2% Swing 1.7 pp 3.2 pp

The European Parliament election of 1994 in Portugal was the election of MEP representing Portugal constituency for the 1994-1999 term of the European Parliament. It was part of the wider 1994 European election. In Portugal the election was held on 12 June.

In the closest nationwide election in Portuguese history, the Socialist Party (PS) polled just 0.5% ahead of the Social Democrats (PSD). Nonetheless, it was a very strong performance from the Socialists, as they gained 6% more than in 1989, and also won 2 more MEP. It was also the first nationwide election victory for the PS since the 1983 general elections. At that time, the PSD was in government for almost 9 years, but the party suffered little wear. The Social Democrats won 34.4% of the votes, a gain of more than 1.5% compared with 1989, and were able to hold on to the 9 seats they won in 1989.

The People's Party (CDS–PP), although losing some ground, was able to win back 3rd place with a very nationalist and anti-Europe speech. The CDS–PP won 12.5% of the votes, a drop of almost 2%, but maintained their 3 seats. The Democratic Unity Coalition (CDU) had a very poor performance, falling to 4th place, and losing both share of vote and seats. The Communist/Green alliance won just 11% of the votes, a drop of 3%, and lost one seat from the Ecologist Party "The Greens".

Turnout fell to all-time low levels, with just 35.5% of voters casting a ballot.

Electoral System

The voting method used, for the election of European members of parliament, is by proportional representation using the d'Hondt method, which is known to benefit leading parties. In the 1994 EU elections, Portugal had 25 seats to be filled. Deputies are elected in a single constituency, corresponding to the entire national territory.

Parties and candidates

The major parties that partook in the election, and their EP list leaders, were:

• Democratic Unity Coalition (CDU), Luis Manuel de Sá
• Socialist Party (PS), António Vitorino
• Social Democratic Party (PSD), Eurico de Melo
• People's Party (CDS–PP), Manuel Monteiro

National summary of votes and seats

Vote share PS   34.87% PSD   34.39% CDS-PP   12.45% CDU   11.19% PCTP/MRPP   0.79% UDP   0.62% PSR   0.58% Others   2.01% Blank/Invalid   3.10%

Distribution by European group

Summary of political group distribution in the 4th European Parliament (1994–1999)

Groups		Parties	Seats	Total	%
bgcolor="Template:Party of European Socialists/meta/color"|	Party of European Socialists (PES)	Socialist Party (PS)	10	10	40.00
width="1" bgcolor="Template:European People's Party/meta/color"|	European People's Party (EPP)	Social Democratic Party (PSD)	9	9	36.00
bgcolor="Template:European United Left/meta/color"|	European United Left (EUL)	Portuguese Communist Party (PCP)	3	3	12.00
bgcolor="Template:European Democratic Alliance/meta/color"|	European Democratic Alliance (EDA)	People's Party (CDS–PP)	3	3	12.00
Total			25	25	100.00

Maps

• 
  Most voted political force by district. (Azores and Madeira not shown)

External links

• Results according to the Portuguese Electoral Commission of the 12 June 1994 election of the 25 delegates from Portugal to the European Parliament

See also

• Politics of Portugal
• List of political parties in Portugal
• Elections in Portugal
• European Parliament