# 1998 Basque regional election

The 1998 Basque regional election was held on Sunday, 25 October 1998, to elect the 6th Parliament of the Basque Autonomous Community. All 75 seats in the Parliament were up for election.
The Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV) won 21 seats, the People's Party (PP) came second for the first time with 16 seats, the Basque Citizens (EH) coalition and the Socialist Party of the Basque Country–Basque Country Left (PSE–EE) won 14 seats each.

## 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—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.

### 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 23 October 1994, which meant that the legislature's term would have expired on 23 October 1998. The election decree was required to be published in the BOPV no later than 29 September 1998, with the election taking place on the fifty-fourth day from publication, setting the latest possible election date for the Parliament on Sunday, 22 November 1998.
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.

## 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.
Below is a list of the main parties and electoral alliances which contested the election:
| Candidacy | Candidacy | Parties and alliances | Leading candidate | Leading candidate | Ideology | Previous result | Previous result | Gov. | Ref. |
| Candidacy | Candidacy | Parties and alliances | Leading candidate | Leading candidate | Ideology | Votes (%) | Seats | Gov. | Ref. |
| | EAJ/PNV | List Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV) | | Juan José Ibarretxe | Basque nationalism Christian democracy Conservative liberalism | 29.32% | 22 | Y | |
| | PSE–EE (PSOE) | List Socialist Party of the Basque Country–Basque Country Left (PSE–EE (PSOE)) | | Nicolás Redondo | Social democracy | 16.83% | 12 | N | |
| | EH | List Popular Unity (HB) – Basque Nationalist Action (EAE/ANV) Stand Up (Zutik) | | Arnaldo Otegi | Basque independence Abertzale left Revolutionary socialism | 16.01% | 11 | N | |
| | PP | List People's Party (PP) | | Carlos Iturgaiz | Conservatism Christian democracy | 14.16% | 11 | N | |
| | EA | List Eusko Alkartasuna (EA) | | Carlos Garaikoetxea | Basque nationalism Social democracy | 10.13% | 8 | Y | |
| | IU/EB | List United Left (IU/EB) | | Javier Madrazo | Socialism Communism | 8.99% | 6 | N | |
| | UA | List Alavese Unity (UA) | | Pablo Mosquera | Alavese regionalism Christian democracy | 2.68% | 5 | N | |

## 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.

### Color key

Exit poll
| Polling firm/Commissioner | Fieldwork date | Sample size | Turnout | PNV | | | | | | | Lead |
| 1998 regional election | 25 Oct 1998 | — | 70.0 | 27.6 21 | 17.4 14 | 17.7 14 | 19.9 16 | 8.6 6 | 5.6 2 | 1.2 2 | 7.7 |
| Eco Consulting/EITB | 25 Oct 1998 | 21,000 | ? | 28.9 21/23 | 16.0 11/13 | 20.9 16/18 | 14.7 13/15 | 8.6 5/7 | 6.2 3/5 | 1.0 1/2 | 8.0 |
| Sondaxe/Tele 5 | 25 Oct 1998 | 2,250 | ? | ? 21 | ? 16 | ? 11 | ? 15 | ? 6 | ? 5 | ? 1 | ? |
| Sigma Dos/Antena 3 | 25 Oct 1998 | ? | ? | ? 21/22 | ? 12/14 | ? 12/13 | ? 15 | ? 5/7 | ? 4/5 | ? 2/3 | ? |
| Demoscopia/El País | 18 Oct 1998 | ? | 65–67 | 30.4 21/22 | 17.4 13/14 | 15.8 11/12 | 16.8 13/15 | 9.7 6/7 | 8.7 5/6 | 1.2 2 | 13.0 |
| Sigma Dos/El Mundo | 14–16 Oct 1998 | 1,000 | ? | 30.2 21/23 | 14.7 10/12 | 16.6 12/14 | 17.8 13/15 | 9.9 7 | 7.8 5 | 1.5 3 | 12.4 |
| Gallup/ABC | 9–14 Oct 1998 | 1,506 | 76.0 | 30.8 22/23 | 18.6 14/15 | 15.3 11 | 15.4 13/14 | 9.5 7 | 8.3 5 | 0.9 1/2 | 12.2 |
| Ábaco/Tele 5 | 13 Oct 1998 | ? | ? | ? 21 | ? 15 | ? 12 | ? 16 | ? 5 | ? 5 | ? 1 | ? |
| Opina/La Vanguardia | 12–13 Oct 1998 | 1,500 | 70 | 29.0 20/21 | 19.0 13/15 | 15.0 11/12 | 18.0 14/15 | 9.0 8 | 7.0 6 | 1.0 2 | 10.0 |
| Bergareche/El Correo | 8–12 Oct 1998 | 4,650 | ? | 27.2 20/21 | 19.5 15/16 | 14.9 11/12 | 17.1 14/15 | 8.4 5/6 | 8.4 5/6 | 1.3 2 | 7.7 |
| PP | 9 Oct 1998 | ? | ? | ? 22/23 | ? 13/14 | ? 11/12 | ? 14/15 | ? 6 | ? 3/4 | ? 2 | ? |
| Siadeco/GPS | 2–9 Oct 1998 | 2,000 | 66.0 | 29.0 22 | 16.1 12 | 18.4 14 | 15.3 13 | 9.7 7 | 8.5 5 | 1.4 2 | 10.6 |
| CIS | 25 Sep–8 Oct 1998 | 2,097 | 64.7 | 29.3 21/22 | 18.4 14/15 | 16.1 12/13 | 16.7 13/14 | 8.7 6 | 7.7 5 | 1.4 2 | 10.9 |
| PSOE | 6–7 Oct 1998 | 1,354 | ? | ? 23 | ? 15 | ? 11 | ? 14 | ? 6 | ? 4 | ? 2 | ? |
| Siadeco/GPS | 21–26 Sep 1998 | 2,000 | 67.0 | 29.4 22 | 15.9 12 | 17.7 13 | 15.3 12 | 9.9 7 | 8.7 6 | 1.5 3 | 11.7 |
| Siadeco/GPS | 7–15 Sep 1998 | 2,000 | 65.0 | 29.6 22 | 16.5 12 | 15.8 11 | 15.5 13 | 10.0 8 | 9.3 6 | 1.5 3 | 13.1 |
| Sigma Dos/El Mundo | 28 Aug–3 Sep 1998 | 900 | ? | 30.0 21 | 16.2 13 | 15.2 11 | 16.5 14 | 9.2 6 | 9.1 6 | 2.0 4 | 13.5 |
| CPS/EHU | 1–15 Jun 1998 | 1,400 | 64 | 29.0 20/21 | 21.0 15/16 | 13.0 10 | 17.0 13/15 | 9.0 6/7 | 7.0 5 | 1.0 2/3 | 8.0 |
| Bergareche/El Correo | 4–9 Jun 1998 | 2,625 | ? | 28.3 21 | 20.1 15/16 | 12.6 9/10 | 17.4 14/15 | 7.7 6 | 8.8 6/7 | 1.1 2 | 8.2 |
| Siadeco/GPS | 11–20 May 1998 | 2,846 | 62.5 | 29.5 22 | 17.0 14 | 14.9 11 | 16.0 13 | 10.0 7 | 9.1 6 | 1.4 2 | 12.5 |
| CIS | 6–31 Mar 1998 | 2,099 | 61.4 | 29.2 21/22 | 18.4 14/15 | 15.3 11 | 16.5 13/14 | 9.7 7/8 | 7.6 5 | 1.5 2 | 10.8 |
| Bergareche/El Correo | 6–13 Mar 1998 | 2,636 | ? | 26.6 20/22 | 20.0 16 | 12.2 9 | 18.6 16 | 7.4 5 | 9.0 5/6 | 1.4 2/3 | 6.6 |
| Siadeco/GPS | 30 Jan–7 Feb 1998 | 1,500 | 65.0 | 29.6 22 | 16.6 12 | 14.4 11 | 16.4 13 | 10.2 8 | 9.1 6 | 1.3 3 | 13.0 |
| Bergareche/El Correo | 9 Nov 1997 | 2,682 | ? | 29.6 23 | 19.2 15 | 12.0 9 | 16.7 15 | 8.1 6 | 7.5 5 | 1.3 2 | 10.4 |
| Siadeco/GPS | 16–24 Sep 1997 | ? | 66.0 | 29.9 22 | 16.6 12 | 14.0 11 | 16.2 13 | 10.2 9 | 9.0 5 | 1.4 3 | 13.3 |
| Sigma Dos/El Mundo | 16–17 Jul 1997 | 800 | ? | 32.5 | 15.6 | 12.9 | 17.9 | 9.7 | 8.8 | 2.2 | 14.6 |
| CPS/EHU | 8 Jun 1997 | 1,400 | ? | 29.1 20 | 18.5 15 | 12.5 10 | 14.0 12 | 9.2 7 | 9.4 7 | 2.0 4 | 10.6 |
| Siadeco/GPS | 25 Mar 1997 | ? | 64.0 | 29.6 22 | 16.8 12 | 13.7 11 | 15.6 12 | 10.1 8 | 9.8 7 | 1.5 3 | 12.8 |
| 1996 general election | 3 Mar 1996 | — | 71.5 | 25.0 (18) | 23.7 (20) | 12.3 (9) | 18.3 (15) | 8.2 (6) | 9.2 (7) | – | 1.3 |
| 1995 foral elections | 28 May 1995 | — | 63.9 | 28.4 (22) | 16.7 (13) | 14.4 (11) | 15.5 (11) | 10.9 (9) | 8.1 (5) | 2.1 (4) | 11.7 |
| 1995 local elections | 28 May 1995 | — | 64.0 | 27.9 | 16.9 | 14.4 | 14.4 | 10.6 | 7.2 | 1.9 | 11.0 |
| 1994 regional election | 23 Oct 1994 | — | 59.7 | 29.3 22 | 16.8 12 | 16.0 11 | 14.2 11 | 10.1 8 | 9.0 6 | 2.7 5 | 12.5 |

## Results
### Overall

← Summary of the 25 October 1998 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) | 350,322 | 27.62 | –1.70 | 21 | –1 |
| | People's Party (PP) | 251,743 | 19.85 | +5.69 | 16 | +5 |
| | Basque Citizens (EH)$^1$ | 224,001 | 17.66 | +1.65 | 14 | +3 |
| | Socialist Party of the Basque Country–Basque Country Left (PSE–EE (PSOE)) | 220,052 | 17.35 | +0.52 | 14 | +2 |
| | Basque Solidarity (EA) | 108,635 | 8.57 | –1.56 | 6 | –2 |
| | United Left (IU/EB) | 71,064 | 5.60 | –3.39 | 2 | –4 |
| | Alavese Unity (UA) | 15,738 | 1.24 | –1.44 | 2 | –3 |
| | Natural Law Party (PLN/LNA) | 4,858 | 0.38 | New | 0 | ±0 |
| | Humanist Party (PH) | 3,288 | 0.26 | New | 0 | ±0 |
| | Basque Country Greens (EHB) | 864 | 0.07 | New | 0 | ±0 |
| Blank ballots | Blank ballots | 17,641 | 1.39 | –0.35 | | |
| Total | Total | 1,268,206 | | | 75 | ±0 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | 1,268,206 | 99.47 | +0.06 | | |
| Invalid votes | Invalid votes | 6,802 | 0.53 | –0.06 | | |
| Votes cast / turnout | Votes cast / turnout | 1,275,008 | 69.99 | +10.30 | | |
| Abstentions | Abstentions | 546,600 | 30.01 | –10.30 | | |
| Registered voters | Registered voters | 1,821,608 | | | | |
| Sources |||||||
| Footnotes: $^1$ Basque Citizens results are compared to Popular Unity totals in the 1994 election. |||||||
Popular vote
EAJ/PNV
27.62%
PP
19.85%
EH
17.66%
PSE–EE (PSOE)
17.35%
EA
8.57%
IU/EB
5.60%
UA
1.24%
Others
0.71%
Blank ballots
1.39% :
Seats
EAJ/PNV
28.00%
PP
21.33%
EH
18.67%
PSE–EE (PSOE)
18.67%
EA
8.00%
IU/EB
2.67%
UA
2.67% :

### Distribution by constituency

| Constituency | PNV | PNV | PP | PP | EH | EH | PSE–EE | PSE–EE | EA | EA | IU/EB | IU/EB | UA | UA |
| Constituency | % | S | % | S | % | S | % | S | % | S | % | S | % | S |
| Álava | 21.6 | 6 | 26.7 | 7 | 12.1 | 3 | 16.8 | 5 | 6.3 | 1 | 5.6 | 1 | 8.4 | 2 |
| Biscay | 32.6 | 9 | 20.2 | 5 | 14.6 | 4 | 18.3 | 5 | 6.0 | 1 | 6.2 | 1 | 0.1 | – |
| Guipúzcoa | 21.7 | 6 | 16.4 | 4 | 25.2 | 7 | 16.0 | 4 | 13.9 | 4 | 4.6 | – | 0.1 | – |
| Total | 27.6 | 21 | 19.9 | 16 | 17.7 | 14 | 17.4 | 14 | 8.6 | 6 | 5.6 | 2 | 1.2 | 2 |
| Sources |||||||||||||||

## Aftermath

Investiture :
| Ballot → | Ballot → | 29 December 1998 | 29 December 1998 |
| Required majority → | Required majority → | 38 out of 75 | 38 out of 75 |
| | Juan José Ibarretxe (PNV) • PNV (21) • EH (13) • EA (6) | 40 / 75 | Y |
| | Carlos Iturgaiz (PP) • PP (16) • UA (2) | 18 / 75 | N |
| | Blank ballots • PSE–EE (13) • IU/EB (2) | 15 / 75 | 15 / 75 |
| | Absentees • EH (1) • PSE–EE (1) | 2 / 75 | 2 / 75 |
| Sources ||||