# 1986 Basque regional election

The 1986 Basque regional election was held on Sunday, 30 November 1986, to elect the 3rd Parliament of the Basque Autonomous Community. All 75 seats in the Parliament were up for election.
The Socialist Party of the Basque Country (PSE–PSOE) won 19 seats, the Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV) came second with 17 seats, People's Unity (HB) and Basque Solidarity (EA), a PNV split, each won 13 seats, and Basque Country Left won 9 seats.

## 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. 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 five percent of valid votes 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.
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 500 electors in the constituencies for which they sought election, disallowing electors from signing for more than one list of candidates.

### Election date

The term of the Basque Parliament expired four years after the date of its previous election, unless it was dissolved earlier. An election was required to take place within from thirty-six and forty-five days from the date of expiry of parliament. The previous election was held on 26 February 1984, which meant that the legislature's term would have expired on 26 February 1988. The election was required to be held no later than the forty-fifth day from dissolution, setting the latest possible election date for the Parliament on Monday, 11 April 1988.
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.

## Opinion polls

The tables below lists opinion polling results 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.

### Voting intention estimates

The table below lists weighted voting intention estimates. Refusals are generally excluded from the party vote percentages, while question wording and the treatment of "don't know" responses and those not intending to vote may vary between polling organisations. 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.
| Polling firm/Commissioner | Fieldwork date | Sample size | Turnout | PNV | | | | | | | Lead |
| 1986 regional election | 30 Nov 1986 | — | 69.6 | 23.6 17 | 22.0 19 | 17.4 13 | 4.8 2 | 10.8 9 | 3.5 2 | 15.8 13 | 1.6 |
| Emopública/Diario 16 | 23 Nov 1986 | ? | ? | ? 18/19 | ? 18/19 | ? 12/13 | ? 5 | ? 8 | ? 0 | ? 9/10 | Tie |
| Demoscopia/El País | 14–18 Nov 1986 | 1,500 | 65–68 | 25.0 20/21 | 24.0 19/20 | ? 9/10 | ? 2/3 | ? 7/8 | ? 1/3 | ? 13/14 | 1.0 |
| CINDE/Basque Government | 14–18 Nov 1986 | 1,500 | ? | ? 20 | ? 18 | ? 12 | ? 3 | ? 10 | ? 2 | ? 10 | ? |
| Bergareche/El Correo | 15–17 Nov 1986 | 2,972 | ? | ? 16/18 | ? 18/20 | ? 13/15 | ? 5/7 | ? 8/9 | ? 2 | ? 9/10 | ? |
| CINDE/Basque Government | 9–12 Nov 1986 | 1,200 | ? | 24.0 20 | 19.0 17 | 14.0 11 | 7.0 4 | 11.0 8 | 5.0 2 | 15.0 13 | 5.0 |
| Demoscopia/El País | 7–11 Nov 1986 | 1,200 | 65–69 | 28.0 19/22 | 25.0 17/18 | 16.0 10/13 | ? 1/3 | 11.0 8/9 | ? 1/4 | 13.0 11/13 | 3.0 |
| PSOE | 18 Oct 1986 | ? | ? | ? 14 | ? 18 | ? 13 | ? 6 | ? 8 | ? 2 | ? 14 | ? |
| Bergareche/El Correo | 18 Oct 1986 | 2,545 | ? | ? 16 | ? 18/19 | ? 13/15 | ? 5 | ? 10/11 | ? 3 | ? 7/9 | ? |
| Iope–Etmar/Tiempo | 7 Oct 1986 | ? | ? | 16.2 13 | 18.9 15 | 17.4 13 | 3.6 2 | 11.0 8 | 3.3 1 | 27.5 23 | 8.6 |
| Ikerfel/PNV | 11–19 Sep 1986 | ? | ? | ? 20 | ? 17/18 | ? 11 | ? 7/8 | ? 8 | ? 1 | ? 10 | ? |
| Gaceta del Norte | 12–17 Sep 1986 | ? | ? | ? 17 | ? 17 | ? 10 | ? 6 | ? 9 | – | ? 16 | Tie |
| Gaceta del Norte | 12–17 Sep 1986 | ? | ? | ? 20 | ? 19 | ? 10 | ? 6 | ? 9 | – | ? 11 | ? |
| 1986 general election | 22 Jun 1986 | — | 67.6 | 27.8 21 | 26.3 23 | 17.7 13 | 10.5* 9 | 9.1 7 | 5.0 2 | – | 1.5 |
| 1984 regional election | 26 Feb 1984 | — | 68.5 | 41.8 32 | 23.0 19 | 14.6 11 | 9.3* 7 | 7.9 6 | – | – | 18.8 |
| (*) Results for People's Coalition. ||||||||||||

### Voting preferences

The table below lists raw, unweighted voting preferences.
| Polling firm/Commissioner | Fieldwork date | Sample size | PNV | | | | | | | ? | N | Lead |
| 1986 regional election | 30 Nov 1986 | — | 16.3 | 15.2 | 12.0 | 3.3 | 7.5 | 2.9 | 10.9 | — | 30.4 | 1.1 |
| CIS | 20 Nov 1986 | 1,191 | 19.0 | 13.0 | 12.0 | 1.0 | 10.0 | 2.0 | 10.0 | 28.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 |
| CIS | 10 Nov 1986 | 2,077 | 17.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 1.0 | 7.0 | 1.0 | 7.0 | 42.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 |
| CIS | 1 Nov 1986 | 2,074 | 17.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 1.0 | 8.0 | 1.0 | 8.0 | 40.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 |
| CIS | 20 Oct 1986 | 2,055 | 15.0 | 10.0 | 8.0 | 1.0 | 8.0 | – | 7.0 | 44.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| CIS | 10 Oct 1986 | 1,996 | 17.0 | 9.0 | 8.0 | 1.0 | 7.0 | 1.0 | 8.0 | 41.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 |
| CIS | 1 Oct 1986 | 1,755 | 16.0 | 9.0 | 8.0 | 1.0 | 9.0 | – | 8.0 | 41.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| 1986 general election | 22 Jun 1986 | — | 18.5 | 17.5 | 11.8 | 7.0* | 6.0 | 3.3 | – | — | 32.4 | 1.0 |
| 1984 regional election | 26 Feb 1984 | — | 28.5 | 15.6 | 9.9 | 6.3* | 5.4 | 0.9 | – | — | 31.5 | 12.9 |
| (*) Results for People's Coalition. |||||||||||||

### Victory preferences

The table below lists opinion polling on the victory preferences for each party in the event of a general election taking place.
| Polling firm/Commissioner | Fieldwork date | Sample size | PNV | | | | | | | Other/ None | ? | Lead |
| CIS | 20 Nov 1986 | 1,191 | 19.0 | 13.0 | 12.0 | – | 9.0 | 1.0 | 8.0 | 1.0 | 37.0 | 6.0 |
| CIS | 10 Nov 1986 | 2,077 | 22.0 | 11.0 | 9.0 | 1.0 | 8.0 | 1.0 | 9.0 | – | 39.0 | 11.0 |
| CIS | 1 Nov 1986 | 2,074 | 21.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 1.0 | 10.0 | 1.0 | 10.0 | 1.0 | 36.0 | 11.0 |
| CIS | 20 Oct 1986 | 2,055 | 20.0 | 13.0 | 9.0 | 1.0 | 9.0 | – | 9.0 | 1.0 | 38.0 | 7.0 |
| CIS | 10 Oct 1986 | 1,996 | 22.0 | 10.0 | 8.0 | 1.0 | 8.0 | 1.0 | 10.0 | – | 38.0 | 12.0 |
| CIS | 1 Oct 1986 | 1,755 | 22.0 | 10.0 | 8.0 | 1.0 | 10.0 | 1.0 | 10.0 | 2.0 | 36.0 | 12.0 |

### Victory likelihood

The table below lists opinion polling on the perceived likelihood of victory for each party in the event of a regional election taking place.
| Polling firm/Commissioner | Fieldwork date | Sample size | PNV | | | | | Other/ None | ? | Lead |
| CIS | 20 Nov 1986 | 1,191 | 38.0 | 16.0 | 1.0 | – | 2.0 | – | 43.0 | 22.0 |
| CIS | 10 Nov 1986 | 2,077 | 36.0 | 15.0 | 1.0 | – | 3.0 | – | 45.0 | 21.0 |
| CIS | 1 Nov 1986 | 2,074 | 32.0 | 15.0 | 2.0 | – | 4.0 | – | 47.0 | 17.0 |
| CIS | 20 Oct 1986 | 2,055 | 32.0 | 17.0 | 2.0 | – | 5.0 | – | 44.0 | 15.0 |
| CIS | 10 Oct 1986 | 1,996 | 35.0 | 15.0 | 1.0 | – | 4.0 | 1.0 | 44.0 | 20.0 |
| CIS | 1 Oct 1986 | 1,755 | 31.0 | 19.0 | – | 1.0 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 42.0 | 12.0 |

### Preferred Lehendakari

The table below lists opinion polling on leader preferences to become Lehendakari.
| Polling firm/Commissioner | Fieldwork date | Sample size | | | | | | | Other/ None/ Not care | ? | Lead |
| Polling firm/Commissioner | Fieldwork date | Sample size | Ardanza EAJ/PNV | Benegas PSE–PSOE | Bandrés EE | Guimón AP | Viana CDS | Garaiko. EA | Other/ None/ Not care | ? | Lead |
| CIS | 20 Nov 1986 | 1,191 | 23.0 | 14.0 | 14.0 | – | 1.0 | 17.0 | 1.0 | 30.0 | 6.0 |
| CIS | 10 Nov 1986 | 2,077 | 22.0 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 17.0 | – | 35.0 | 5.0 |
| CIS | 1 Nov 1986 | 2,074 | 22.0 | 10.0 | 12.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 20.0 | – | 34.0 | 2.0 |
| CIS | 20 Oct 1986 | 2,055 | 19.0 | 12.0 | 14.0 | 1.0 | – | 20.0 | – | 34.0 | 1.0 |
| CIS | 10 Oct 1986 | 1,996 | 25.0 | – | – | – | – | 38.0 | – | 27.0 | 13.0 |
| CIS | 10 Oct 1986 | 1,996 | 19.0 | 9.0 | 13.0 | 1.0 | – | 22.0 | – | 36.0 | 3.0 |
| CIS | 1 Oct 1986 | 1,755 | 19.0 | 9.0 | 15.0 | – | – | 25.0 | – | 32.0 | 6.0 |

## Results
### Overall

← Summary of the 30 November 1986 Basque Parliament election results → :
| Parties and alliances | Parties and alliances | Popular vote | Popular vote | Popular vote | Seats | Seats |
| Parties and alliances | Parties and alliances | Votes | % | ±pp | Total | +/− |
| | Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV) | 271,208 | 23.60 | –18.21 | 17 | –15 |
| | Socialist Party of the Basque Country (PSE–PSOE) | 252,233 | 21.95 | –1.01 | 19 | ±0 |
| | Popular Unity (HB) | 199,900 | 17.40 | +2.81 | 13 | +2 |
| | Basque Solidarity (EA) | 181,175 | 15.77 | New | 13 | +13 |
| | Basque Country Left (EE) | 124,423 | 10.83 | +2.89 | 9 | +3 |
| | People's Alliance–Liberal Party (AP–PL)$^1$ | 55,606 | 4.84 | –4.48 | 2 | –5 |
| | Democratic and Social Centre (CDS) | 40,445 | 3.52 | New | 2 | +2 |
| | United Left (IU/EB) | 6,750 | 0.59 | New | 0 | ±0 |
| | Communist Party of the Basque Country (PCE/EPK) | 5,675 | 0.49 | –0.90 | 0 | ±0 |
| | Workers' Socialist Party (PST) | 2,925 | 0.25 | +0.05 | 0 | ±0 |
| | Humanist Party (PH) | 1,400 | 0.12 | New | 0 | ±0 |
| | Internationalist Socialist Workers' Party (POSI) | 1,190 | 0.10 | New | 0 | ±0 |
| | Republican Popular Unity (UPR)$^2$ | 1,102 | 0.10 | ±0.00 | 0 | ±0 |
| Blank ballots | Blank ballots | 5,003 | 0.44 | –0.03 | | |
| Total | Total | 1,149,035 | | | 75 | ±0 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | 1,149,035 | 99.41 | –0.01 | | |
| Invalid votes | Invalid votes | 6,780 | 0.59 | +0.01 | | |
| Votes cast / turnout | Votes cast / turnout | 1,155,815 | 69.62 | +1.13 | | |
| Abstentions | Abstentions | 504,328 | 30.38 | –1.13 | | |
| Registered voters | Registered voters | 1,660,143 | | | | |
| Sources |||||||
| Footnotes: $^1$ People's Alliance–Liberal Party results are compared to People's Coalition totals in the 1984 election.$^2$ Republican Popular Unity results are compared to Communist Party of Spain (Marxist–Leninist) totals in the 1984 election. |||||||
Popular vote
EAJ/PNV
23.60%
PSE–PSOE
21.95%
HB
17.40%
EA
15.77%
EE
10.83%
AP–PL
4.84%
CDS
3.52%
Others
1.66%
Blank ballots
0.44% :
Seats
PSE–PSOE
25.33%
EAJ/PNV
22.67%
HB
17.33%
EA
17.33%
EE
12.00%
AP–PL
2.67%
CDS
2.67% :

### Distribution by constituency

| Constituency | PNV | PNV | PSE | PSE | HB | HB | EA | EA | EE | EE | AP–PL | AP–PL | CDS | CDS |
| Constituency | % | S | % | S | % | S | % | S | % | S | % | S | % | S |
| Álava | 20.1 | 5 | 24.9 | 7 | 12.8 | 3 | 14.5 | 4 | 10.9 | 3 | 6.9 | 1 | 8.0 | 2 |
| Biscay | 28.8 | 8 | 22.5 | 6 | 16.0 | 4 | 11.7 | 3 | 10.2 | 3 | 5.1 | 1 | 3.2 | – |
| Guipúzcoa | 16.0 | 4 | 19.9 | 6 | 21.6 | 6 | 23.1 | 6 | 11.9 | 3 | 3.6 | – | 2.4 | – |
| Total | 23.6 | 17 | 22.0 | 19 | 17.4 | 13 | 15.8 | 13 | 10.8 | 9 | 4.8 | 2 | 3.5 | 2 |
| Sources |||||||||||||||

## Aftermath

Investiture :
| Ballot → | Ballot → | 26 February 1987 | 26 February 1987 |
| Required majority → | Required majority → | 38 out of 75 | 38 out of 75 |
| | José Antonio Ardanza (PNV) • PSE (19) • PNV (17) • CDS (2) | 38 / 75 | Y |
| | Juan Carlos Yoldi (HB) | 0 / 75 | N |
| | Blank ballots • EA (13) • EE (9) • AP (2) | 24 / 75 | 24 / 75 |
| | Absentees • HB (13) | 13 / 75 | 13 / 75 |
| Sources ||||