Overview Spanish general election, 1989

1 overview

1.1 background
1.2 electoral system
1.3 election date

overview
background

felipe gonzález s second term prime minister characterized economic growth, public investments favoured structural funds coming european economic community spain had accessed. gdp grew around or above 5% between 1987 , 1989 , unemployment decreased 20.6% 16.9%. period saw consolidation of welfare system reforms initiated during gonzález s first term, allowed through better financing derived relatively progressive tax system. however, economic expansion fostered government s liberal policies brought increase in wealth differences , of inequality, leading social unrest , loss of popularity ruling psoe made apparent in 1987 local, regional , european parliament elections. end of 1988, 2 major trade unions in spain, ccoo , ugt, had called general strike succeeded in paralyzing country , in forcing gonzález s government negotiate partial withdrawal of economic policies.

concurrently, main opposition party, conservative people s alliance (ap), suffering profound internal crisis since 1986 election had seen break of people s coalition , resignation of party leader manuel fraga. successor, antonio hernández mancha, proved unable improve ap s electoral fortunes , saw political credibility decimated after unsuccessful vote of no confidence on government of felipe gonzález in march 1987. hernández mancha ended quitting in 1989, fraga returning caretaker leader oversaw merging of ap former allies, people s democratic party (pdp) , liberal party (pl), new people s party (pp). intending national leadership temporary, fraga appointed then-unknown president of castile , león josé maría aznar successor.

the 1986–1989 period saw increase in terror activity of eta basque separatist group. reached peak hipercor bombing on 19 june 1987, which—with 21 dead , 45 injured—would become deadliest attack in eta s history. other deadly attacks included plaza república dominicana bombing on 14 july 1986, 3 weeks after previous general election , 1 day before newly-elected cortes re-assembled, left 12 dead , 32 injured; , 1987 zaragoza barracks bombing, 11 dead—including 5 children—and 88 injured. concurrently, psoe government introduced policy of dispersion of imprisoned terrorists throughout entire spanish territory in order prevent terrorist organizations—eta among them—from coercively impeding reinsertion of prisoners. political parties signed several anti-terrorist agreements, such ajuria enea pact or madrid agreement on terrorism, aimed @ increasing inter-party cooperation , end terrorism. in january 1989, eta declared 15-day ceasefire, later prorogued several times, in order start negotiation talks in algiers socialist government, no successful conclusion reached , eta resumed violence campaign.

the opposition had pressed snap election since general strike in december 1988. however, not until psoe success in 1989 european parliament election, end of spanish rotational presidency of council of european union in june , need tough economic measures before end of year felipe gonzález chose call snap general election 29 october.

electoral system

the spanish cortes generales regarded imperfect bicameral system. congress of deputies had greater legislative power senate, having ability vote confidence in or withdraw prime minister , override senate vetoes absolute majority of votes. nonetheless, senate possessed few exclusive, yet limited in number functions—such role in constitutional amendment—which not subject congress override. voting cortes generales on basis of universal suffrage, nationals on eighteen , in full enjoyment of political rights entitled vote.

for congress of deputies, 348 seats elected using d hondt method , closed list proportional representation, threshold of 3 percent of valid votes—which included blank ballots—being applied in each constituency. parties not reaching threshold not taken consideration seat distribution. additionally, use of d hondt method might result in effective threshold on 3 percent, depending on district magnitude. seats allocated constituencies, corresponding provinces of spain. each constituency entitled initial minimum of 2 seats, remaining 248 allocated among constituencies in proportion populations. ceuta , melilla allocated 2 remaining seats, elected using plurality voting.

for senate, 208 seats elected using open list partial block voting, electors voting individual candidates instead of parties. in constituencies electing 4 seats, electors vote 3 candidates; in 2 or 3 seats, 2 candidates; , 1 candidate in single-member districts. each of 47 peninsular provinces allocated 4 seats, whereas insular provinces, such balearic , canary islands, districts islands themselves, larger—majorca, gran canaria , tenerife—being allocated 3 seats each, , smaller—menorca, ibiza–formentera, fuerteventura, la gomera, el hierro, lanzarote , la palma—one each. ceuta , melilla elected 2 seats each. additionally, autonomous communities appoint @ least 1 senator each , entitled 1 additional senator per each million inhabitants.

the electoral law provided parties, federations, coalitions , groupings of electors allowed present lists of candidates. however, groupings of electors required secure @ least signature of 1 percent of electors entered in electoral register of constituency seeking election. electors barred signing more 1 list of candidates. concurrently, parties , federations intending enter in coalition take part jointly @ election required inform relevant electoral commission within ten days of election being called.

election date

the term of each house of cortes generales—the congress , senate—expired 4 years date of previous election, unless dissolved earlier. election decree required issued no later twenty-fifth day prior date of expiry of cortes in event prime minister did not make use of prerogative of dissolution. decree published on following day in official state gazette, election day taking place between fifty-fourth , sixtieth day publication. previous election held on 22 june 1986, meant legislature s term expire on 22 june 1990. election decree required published no later 29 may 1990, election taking place on sixtieth day publication, setting latest possible election date cortes generales on saturday, 28 july 1990.

the prime minister had prerogative dissolve both houses @ given time—either jointly or separately—and call snap election, provided no motion of no confidence in process, no state of emergency in force , dissolution did not occur before 1 year had elapsed since previous one. additionally, both houses dissolved , new election called if investiture process failed elect prime minister within two-month period first ballot. barred exception, there no constitutional requirement simultaneous elections congress , senate, there being no precedent of separate elections , governments having long preferred elections 2 houses take place simultaneously.

on 25 august 1989, confirmed governmental sources felipe gonzález calling snap election 29 october.