1983 Spanish regional elections
← 1979 8 May 1983 1987 →
764 seats in the regional parliaments of Aragon, Asturias, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Cantabria, Castile and León, Castilla–La Mancha, Extremadura, La Rioja, Madrid, Murcia, Navarre and Valencian Community
Registered14,888,251
Turnout10,374,787 (69.7%)
Regional administrations after the 1983 regional elections

Regional elections were held in Spain in 1983 to elect the regional parliaments of thirteen of the seventeen autonomous communities (namely, Aragon, Asturias, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Cantabria, Castile and León, Castilla–La Mancha, Extremadura, La Rioja, Madrid, Murcia, Navarre and the Valencian Community). 764 of 1,139 seats in the regional parliaments were up for election. The 6 May 1983 elections were held simultaneously with local elections all throughout Spain.

The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) emerged as the largest party in 11 out of the 13 autonomous communities holding elections, reaching or nearing the absolute majority in 9 (Aragon, Asturias, Castilla–La Mancha, Castile and León, Extremadura, La Rioja, Madrid, Murcia and Valencian Community) and winning a plurality in the Canary Islands and Navarre.[1][2] The conservative People's Coalition (AP–PDP–UL) was victorious in the Balearic Islands and Cantabria, securing a majority of seats in the later.[3][4] The Communist Party of Spain (PCE) saw an improvement of its results over those obtained in the October 1982 general election, while other minor national parties, such as the Democratic and Social Centre (CDS) and the Liberal Democratic Party (PDL) failed to make significant inroads.[5][6][7]

The elections resulted in the full institutionalization—for the first time in the history of Spain—of an administrative structure of political power between that of the state and of the local councils, represented in the figure of the new autonomous communities.[8]

Regional governments

The following table lists party control in autonomous communities.

Election day Region Previous control New control
8 May Aragon Independent (ex-UCD)[a] Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Asturias Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Balearics Independent (ex-UCD)[a] People's Coalition (AP–PDP–UL)
Canary Islands Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Cantabria People's Coalition (AP–PDP–UL) People's Coalition (AP–PDP–UL)
Castile and León Independent (ex-UCD)[a] Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Castilla–La Mancha Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Extremadura Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
La Rioja Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Madrid Autonomous community established Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Murcia Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Navarre Independent (ex-UCD)[a] Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Valencian Community Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)

Overall results

Summary of the 8 May 1983 regional election results in Spain →
Parties and alliances Popular vote Total
seats
Votes %
Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) 4,908,728 47.86 388
People's Coalition (AP–PDP–UL) 3,443,057 33.57 273
Communist Party of Spain (PCE) 658,574 6.42 27
Democratic and Social Centre (CDS) 324,654 3.17 9
Liberal Democratic Party (PDL) 139,602 1.36 2
Regionalist Aragonese Party (PAR) 124,018 1.21 13
Navarrese People's Union (UPN) 62,072 0.61 13
United Extremadura (EU) 47,504 0.46 6
Majorcan Union (UM) 46,915 0.46 6
Canarian People's Union–Canarian Assembly (UPC–AC) 46,784 0.46 2
Popular Unity (HB) 28,055 0.27 6
Canarian Nationalist Convergence (CNC) 24,376 0.24 1
Regionalist Party of Cantabria (PRC) 18,767 0.18 2
Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV) 18,161 0.18 3
Socialist Party of Majorca–Socialist Party of the Islands (PSM–PSI) 16,979 0.17 2
Progressive Riojan Party (PRP) 10,102 0.10 2
Majorera Assembly (AM) 5,551 0.05 3
Socialist Party of Menorca (PSM) 3,732 0.04 2
Independent Gomera Group (AGI) 3,294 0.03 2
Menorcan Independent Candidacy (CIM) 3,250 0.03 1
Independent Herrenian Group (AHI) 944 0.01 1
Others 257,435 2.51 0
Blank ballots 63,592 0.62
Valid votes 10,256,146 98.86
Invalid votes 118,141 1.14
Votes cast / turnout 10,374,287 69.68
Registered voters 14,888,251
Popular vote
PSOE
 
 47.86%
AP–PDP–UL
 
 33.57%
PCE
 
 6.42%
CDS
 
 3.17%
PDL
 
 1.36%
PAR
 
 1.21%
UPN
 
 0.61%
Others
 
 5.19%
Blank ballots
 
 0.62%

Summary by region

Aragon

Main article: 1983 Aragonese regional election
Parties and alliances Votes % ±pp Seats +/−
PSOE 283,226 46.83 n/a 33 n/a
AP–PDP–UL 136,853 22.63 n/a 18 n/a
PAR 124,018 20.51 n/a 13 n/a
PCE 23,960 3.96 n/a 1 n/a
CDS 19,902 3.29 n/a 1 n/a
Others 12,941 2.14 0 ±0
Blank ballots 3,918 0.65 n/a
Valid votes 604,818 98.58 n/a
Invalid votes 8,732 1.42 n/a
Votes cast / turnout 613,550 66.74 n/a
Registered voters 919,295

Asturias

Main article: 1983 Asturian regional election
Parties and alliances Votes % ±pp Seats +/−
PSOE 293,320 51.96 n/a 26 n/a
AP–PDP–UL 170,654 30.23 n/a 14 n/a
PCA–PCE 62,855 11.13 n/a 5 n/a
CDS 19,495 3.45 n/a 0 n/a
Others 15,898 2.82 0 ±0
Blank ballots 2,298 0.41 n/a
Valid votes 564,520 99.34 n/a
Invalid votes 3,751 0.66 n/a
Votes cast / turnout 568,271 65.04 n/a
Registered voters 873,690

Balearics

Main article: 1983 Balearic regional election
Parties and alliances Votes % ±pp Seats +/−
AP–PDP–UL 110,629 35.58 n/a 21 n/a
PSOE 107,906 34.71 n/a 21 n/a
UM 46,915 15.09 n/a 6 n/a
PSM–PSI 16,979 5.46 n/a 2 n/a
PCIB 7,669 2.47 n/a 0 n/a
CDS 6,611 2.13 n/a 0 n/a
PDL 3,896 1.25 n/a 1 n/a
PSM 3,732 1.20 n/a 2 n/a
CIM 3,250 1.05 n/a 1 n/a
PCOE 1,509 0.49 n/a 0 n/a
Blank ballots 1,820 0.59 n/a
Valid votes 310,916 98.46 n/a
Invalid votes 4,879 1.54 n/a
Votes cast / turnout 315,795 64.67 n/a
Registered voters 488,336

Canary Islands

Main article: 1983 Canarian regional election
Parties and alliances Votes % ±pp Seats +/−
PSOE 233,991 41.50 n/a 27 n/a
AP–PDP–UL 163,419 28.98 n/a 17 n/a
UPC–AC 46,784 8.30 n/a 2 n/a
CDS 40,789 7.23 n/a 6 n/a
PCC 24,868 4.41 n/a 1 n/a
CNC 24,376 4.32 n/a 1 n/a
PPC 7,676 1.36 n/a 0 n/a
AM 5,551 0.98 n/a 3 n/a
AGI 3,294 0.58 n/a 2 n/a
AHI 944 0.17 n/a 1 n/a
Others 12,130 2.15 0 ±0
Blank ballots 0 0.00 n/a
Valid votes 563,822 97.60 n/a
Invalid votes 13,848 2.40 n/a
Votes cast / turnout 577,670 62.41 n/a
Registered voters 925,572

Cantabria

Main article: 1983 Cantabrian regional election
Parties and alliances Votes % ±pp Seats +/−
AP–PDP–UL 122,748 43.99 n/a 18 n/a
PSOE 107,168 38.41 n/a 15 n/a
PRC 18,767 6.73 n/a 2 n/a
PCE 11,052 3.96 n/a 0 n/a
CDS 7,164 2.57 n/a 0 n/a
PDL 4,474 1.60 n/a 0 n/a
AICU 3,179 1.14 n/a 0 n/a
Others 2,888 1.04 0 ±0
Blank ballots 1,569 0.56 n/a
Valid votes 279,009 98.52 n/a
Invalid votes 4,188 1.48 n/a
Votes cast / turnout 283,197 73.56 n/a
Registered voters 384,993

Castile and León

Main article: 1983 Castilian-Leonese regional election
Parties and alliances Votes % ±pp Seats +/−
PSOE 608,604 44.37 n/a 42 n/a
AP–PDP–UL 543,851 39.65 n/a 39 n/a
CDS 81,741 5.96 n/a 2 n/a
PCE 44,357 3.23 n/a 0 n/a
PDL 37,301 2.72 n/a 1 n/a
BAR–PREPAL 34,398 2.51 n/a 0 n/a
Others 8,233 0.60 0 ±0
Blank ballots 13,103 0.96 n/a
Valid votes 1,371,588 98.51 n/a
Invalid votes 20,815 1.49 n/a
Votes cast / turnout 1,392,403 69.84 n/a
Registered voters 1,993,809

Castilla–La Mancha

Main article: 1983 Castilian-Manchegan regional election
Parties and alliances Votes % ±pp Seats +/−
PSOE 416,177 46.70 n/a 23 n/a
AP–PDP–UL 364,676 40.92 n/a 21 n/a
PCE 61,132 6.86 n/a 0 n/a
CDS 26,911 3.02 n/a 0 n/a
PDL 15,890 1.78 n/a 0 n/a
PCOE–PCEU 579 0.06 n/a 0 n/a
Blank ballots 5,823 0.65 n/a
Valid votes 891,188 98.82 n/a
Invalid votes 10,684 1.18 n/a
Votes cast / turnout 901,872 73.32 n/a
Registered voters 1,230,011

Extremadura

Main article: 1983 Extremaduran regional election
Parties and alliances Votes % ±pp Seats +/−
PSOE 296,939 53.02 n/a 35 n/a
AP–PDP–UL 168,606 30.10 n/a 20 n/a
EU 47,504 8.48 n/a 6 n/a
PCE 36,294 6.48 n/a 4 n/a
Others 8,126 1.45 0 ±0
Blank ballots 2,622 0.47 n/a
Valid votes 560,091 99.09 n/a
Invalid votes 5,153 0.91 n/a
Votes cast / turnout 565,244 71.90 n/a
Registered voters 786,200

La Rioja

Main article: 1983 Riojan regional election
Parties and alliances Votes % ±pp Seats +/−
PSOE 63,848 47.17 n/a 18 n/a
AP–PDP–UL 54,121 39.98 n/a 15 n/a
PRP 10,102 7.46 n/a 2 n/a
CDS 3,264 2.41 n/a 0 n/a
PCE 2,934 2.17 n/a 0 n/a
Blank ballots 1,090 0.81 n/a
Valid votes 135,359 98.83 n/a
Invalid votes 1,605 1.17 n/a
Votes cast / turnout 136,964 70.24 n/a
Registered voters 194,994

Madrid

Main article: 1983 Madrilenian regional election
Parties and alliances Votes % ±pp Seats +/−
PSOE 1,181,277 50.48 n/a 51 n/a
AP–PDP–UL 798,353 34.12 n/a 34 n/a
PCE 207,058 8.85 n/a 9 n/a
CDS 73,124 3.12 n/a 0 n/a
PDL 43,309 1.85 n/a 0 n/a
Others 23,269 0.99 0 ±0
Blank ballots 13,735 0.59 n/a
Valid votes 2,340,125 99.29 n/a
Invalid votes 16,800 0.71 n/a
Votes cast / turnout 2,356,925 69.70 n/a
Registered voters 3,381,610

Murcia

Main article: 1983 Murcian regional election
Parties and alliances Votes % ±pp Seats +/−
PSOE 238,968 52.23 n/a 26 n/a
AP–PDP–UL 162,074 35.42 n/a 16 n/a
PCE 32,113 7.02 n/a 1 n/a
PCAN 12,967 2.83 n/a 0 n/a
CDS 5,224 1.14 n/a 0 n/a
Others 3,603 0.79 0 ±0
Blank ballots 2,608 0.57 n/a
Valid votes 457,557 98.99 n/a
Invalid votes 4,655 1.01 n/a
Votes cast / turnout 462,212 68.47 n/a
Registered voters 675,082

Navarre

Main article: 1983 Navarrese regional election
Parties and alliances Votes % ±pp Seats +/−
PSOE 94,737 35.63 +16.69 20 +5
UPN 62,072 23.34 +7.35 13 ±0
AP–PDP–UL 37,554 14.12 New 8 +8
HB 28,055 10.55 –0.53 6 –3
EAJ/PNV 18,161 6.83 +1.79 3 ±0
Auzolan 8,356 3.14 +0.44 0 ±0
PC 6,733 2.53 –2.24 0 –1
EE 6,292 2.37 –0.54 0 –1
UCD n/a n/a –26.69 0 –20
Amaiur n/a n/a –6.78 0 –7
IFN n/a n/a –1.46 0 –1
Others 2,121 0.80 0 ±0
Blank ballots 1,826 0.69 +0.28
Valid votes 265,907 98.83 +0.15
Invalid votes 3,135 1.17 –0.15
Votes cast / turnout 269,042 70.86 +0.10
Registered voters 379,692

Valencian Community

Main article: 1983 Valencian regional election
Parties and alliances Votes % ±pp Seats +/−
PSOE 982,567 51.41 n/a 51 n/a
AP–PDP–UL–UV 609,519 31.89 n/a 32 n/a
PCE–PCPV 142,570 7.46 n/a 6 n/a
UPV 58,712 3.07 n/a 0 n/a
CDS 36,015 1.88 n/a 0 n/a
PDL 29,788 1.56 n/a 0 n/a
Others 38,895 2.04 0 ±0
Blank ballots 13,180 0.69 n/a
Valid votes 1,911,246 98.97 n/a
Invalid votes 19,896 1.03 n/a
Votes cast / turnout 1,931,142 72.74 n/a
Registered voters 2,654,967

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d The UCD was dissolved as a political party in February 1983,[9] with its regional presidents and elected officials maintaining their offices either as independents or joining other parties ahead of the May 1983 regional elections.

References

  1. ^ "El PSOE domina 12 de las 17 comunidades autónomas". El País (in Spanish). 9 May 1983. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  2. ^ "Los resultados de Córdoba, Cantabria, Castilla-León y Navarra empañaron la victoria esperada por el PSOE". El País (in Spanish). 9 May 1983. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  3. ^ "Fraga: "Me retiraré cuando Dios y el pueblo me lo exijan"". El País (in Spanish). 9 May 1983. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  4. ^ "Serán necesarios pactos para gobernar en cuatro comunidades autónomas". El País (in Spanish). 11 May 1983. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  5. ^ "Euforia en el PCE, que ha visto duplicados los votos con respecto al 28-O". El País (in Spanish). 9 May 1983. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  6. ^ "Suárez y Garrigues, entre la satisfacción y la resignación". El País (in Spanish). 9 May 1983. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  7. ^ "Para Europa, crece el predominio socialista". El País (in Spanish). 10 May 1983. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  8. ^ "Las elecciones autonómicas institucionalizan por primera vez, en toda España un nuevo escalón de poder político". El País (in Spanish). 16 April 1983. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  9. ^ "La crisis de UCD culmina con la decisión de disolverse como partido político". El País (in Spanish). 19 February 1983. Retrieved 13 December 2019.

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