1994 European Parliament election in Portugal

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.

1994 European Parliament election in Portugal
12 June 1994
25 seats to the European Parliament
Turnout35.5% 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 CDU
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

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:[1]

Opinion Polling
See also: Exit poll and Opinion poll

The following table shows the opinion polls of voting intention of the Portuguese voters before the election. Those parties that are listed were represented in the EU parliament (1989-1994). Included is also the result of the Portuguese EP elections in 1989 and 1994 for reference.

Note, until 2000, the publication of opinion polls in the last week of the campaign was forbidden.

Date Released Polling Firm PSD PS CDU CDS-PP Others Lead
12 Jun 1994 1994 EP Election 34.4
9 seats		 34.9
10 seats		 11.2
3 seats		 12.5
3 seats		 7.1
0 seats		 0.5
6 Jun 1994 Euroteste 31.0 32.4 11.2 10.3 15.1 1.4
6 Jun 1994 Norma 28.6 33.0 10.1 10.6 17.7 4.4
6 Jun 1994 Euroexpansão 28.2 39.5 7.2 7.8 17.3 11.3
18 Jun 1989 1989 EP Election 32.8
9 seats		 28.5
8 seats		 14.4
4 seats		 14.2
3 seats		 10.1
0 seats		 4.3

National summary of votes and seats
 Summary of the results of Portugal's 12 June 1994 election to the European Parliament
← 1989 • 1994 • 1999 →
National party European party Main candidate Votes % +/– Seats +/–
Socialist Party (PS) PES António Vitorino 1,061,560 34.87 6.33 10 2
Social Democratic Party (PSD) EPP Eurico de Melo 1,046,918 34.39 1.64 9 0
People's Party (CDS–PP) EDA Manuel Monteiro 379,044 12.45 1.71 3 0
Democratic Unitarian Coalition (CDU)
• Communist Party (PCP)
• Ecologist Party (PEV)		 GUE/NGL Luis Manuel de Sá 340,725 11.19 3.21 3
3
0
0
1
Others (parties or candidates that won less than 1% of the vote and no seats) 121,518 4.00 — 0 0
Valid votes 2,949,765 96.90
Blank and invalid votes 94,236 3.10
Totals 3,044,001 100.00 — 25 1
Electorate (eligible voters) and voter turnout 8,565,822 35.54 15.56
Source: Comissão Nacional de Eleições
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)[2]
Groups Parties Seats Total %
Party of European Socialists (PES) 10 10 40.00
European People's Party (EPP) 9 9 36.00
European United Left (EUL) 3 3 12.00
European Democratic Alliance (EDA)
3 3 12.00
Total 25 25 100.00

Maps

References
  1. Comissão Nacional de Eleições - Deputados
  2. "Elecciones al Parlamento Europeo: Resultados por países 1979 - 2014". historiaelectoral.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 November 2017.

See also
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