1994 European Parliament election in Portugal

← 1989 12 June 1994 1999 →
25 seats to the European Parliament
Turnout	35.5% 15.6 pp
First party Second party   PSD 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   CDS CDU 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

The 1994 European Parliament election 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 less than 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]

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

Opinion polling

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.

  Exit poll

Date Released	Polling Firm		PS	CDU		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
12 Jun 1994	Compta RH	28.1–33.1 9	35.3–40.3 10	10.0–13.0 3	8.9–11.9 3		7.2
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
21 May 1994	Euroexpansão	26.2	39.4	9.0	7.4	18.0	13.2
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

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
	Workers' Communist Party (PCTP/MRPP)	None	António Garcia Pereira	24,022	0.79	0.15	0	0
	People's Democratic Union (UDP)	None	Carlos Marques	18,884	0.62	0.46	0	0
	Revolutionary Socialist Party (PSR)	None	-	17,780	0.59	0.19	0	0
	Earth Party (MPT)	ALDE	-	12,955	0.43	new	0	new
	Politics XXI (PXXI)	None	-	12,402	0.41	new	0	new
	National Solidarity Party (PSN)	None	-	11,214	0.37	new	0	new
	People's Monarchist Party (PPM)	None	-	8,300	0.27	1.79	0	0
	Democratic Party of the Atlantic (PDA)	None	-	7,127	0.23	new	0	new
	Democratic Renewal Party (PRD)	RBW	Manuel Vargas Loureiro	5,941	0.20	new	0	new
	Unity Movement for Workers (MUD)	None	Carmelinda Pereira	2,893	0.10	0.17	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 Archived 2021-09-17 at the Wayback Machine

Distribution by European group

Maps

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