Basque parliamentary election, 2012

21 October 2012

All 75 seats in the Basque Parliament 38 seats needed for a majority

Opinion polls
Registered	1,775,351 0.0%
Turnout	1,135,568 (64.0%) 0.7 pp
	First party	Second party	Third party

Leader	Iñigo Urkullu	Laura Mintegi	Patxi López
Party	EAJ/PNV	EH Bildu	PSE–EE (PSOE)
Leader since	2 December 2007	2 July 2012	23 March 2002
Leader's seat	Biscay	Biscay	Álava
Last election	30 seats, 38.1%	5 seats, 9.6%^{[lower-alpha 1]}	25 seats, 30.4%
Seats won	27	21	16
Seat change	3	16	9
Popular vote	384,766	277,923	212,809
Percentage	34.2%	24.7%	18.9%
Swing	3.9 pp	15.1 pp	11.5 pp

	Fourth party	Fifth party

Leader	Antonio Basagoiti	Gorka Maneiro
Party	PP	UPyD
Leader since	25 October 2008	2008
Leader's seat	Biscay	Álava
Last election	13 seats, 13.9%	1 seat, 2.1%
Seats won	10	1
Seat change	3	±0
Popular vote	130,584	21,539
Percentage	11.6%	1.9%
Swing	2.3 pp	0.2 pp

Provinces won by EAJ/PNV (green) and EH Bildu (light green)

Lehendakari before election

Patxi López
PSE–EE (PSOE)

Elected Lehendakari

Iñigo Urkullu
EAJ/PNV

The 2012 Basque parliamentary election was held on Sunday, 21 October 2012, to elect the 10th Basque Parliament, the regional legislature of the Spanish autonomous community of the Basque Country. All 75 seats in the Parliament were up for election. The election was held simultaneously with a regional election in Galicia.

Lehendakari Patxi López announced the snap election half a year before scheduled as a result of the People's Party (PP) withdrawing their support from the government.^[1] The election saw a plummeting of the ruling Socialist Party (PSE–EE) share, with the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) retaining first place and returning to government after its first time in opposition. The abertzale left experienced a major breakthrough under the EH Bildu label, after 9 years of political illegalization. The PP deepened on its long-term decline and scored its worst result since 1990, while Union, Progress and Democracy (UPyD) retained its single seat in Parliament.^[2]

Electoral system

The 75 members of the Basque Parliament were elected in 3 multi-member districts, corresponding to the Basque Country's three provinces, using the D'Hondt method and a closed-list proportional representation system. Each district was assigned a fixed set of seats, distributed as follows: Alava (25), Biscay (25) and Gipuzkoa (25).

Voting was on the basis of universal suffrage in a secret ballot. Only lists polling above 3% of valid votes in each district (which include blank ballots—for none of the above) were entitled to enter the seat distribution.^[3]

Background

Following the 2009 parliamentary election, Patxi López of the Basque Socialist Party (PSE-EE) became the first Lehendakari (i.e. regional president) in thirty years not to be affiliated to the Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ-PNV).

In 2011 Eusko Alkartasuna (EA), Alternatiba, other abertzale groups and independent individuals from the Basque leftist-nationalist milieu, formed a coalition named Bildu.

In the 2011 municipal elections, the EAJ-PNV came first with 30.1% of the vote, but the big winner was Bildu, which obtained 25.5% and a majority of town councillors. Among the other parties, the PSE-EE gained 16.3%, the People's Party (PP) 13.5%, and Aralar 3.0%.^[4]

In late 2011 the leftist-secessionist coalition was enlarged to include other abertzale groups, including Aralar. In the 2011 general election, this new coalition, known as Amaiur, came second in the Basque Country with 24.1% of the vote, behind the EAJ-PNV, which came first with 27.4%. Among the other parties, the PSE-EE won 21.5% of the vote and the PP 17.8%.^[5]

The four main groups that constituted Amaiur, namely abertzale left (former Batasuna members, led by Rufi Etxeberria), EA, Alternatiba and Aralar, announced that they would also stand as part of a joint list also in the election.^[6] That list was named Euskal Herria Bildu (EHB)^[7] and Laura Mintegi was chosen as candidate for Lehendakari.^[8]

Opinion polling

Party vote

Poll results are listed in the tables below in reverse chronological order, showing the most recent first, and using the date the survey's fieldwork was done, as opposed to the date of publication. If such date is unknown, the date of publication is given instead. The highest percentage figure in each polling survey is displayed in bold, and the background shaded in the leading party's colour. In the instance that there is a tie, then no figure is shaded. The lead column on the right shows the percentage-point difference between the two parties with the highest figures.

Color key:

Exit poll

Polling firm/Link	Fieldwork/ publication date	Sample size	TO						EB–B				Lead
Polling firm/Link	Fieldwork/ publication date	Sample size	TO										Lead

Regional Election	21.10.12	N/A	64.0%	34.2	18.9	11.6	—	—	1.5	1.9	24.7	2.7	9.5

Ipsos-Eco Consulting	21.10.12	?	?	32.6	16.9	11.4	—	—	1.5	1.4	28.9	2.9	3.7
NC Report	02.10.12–13.10.12	1,020	64.5%	33.2	18.9	13.0	—	—	—	2.5	26.4	3.7	6.8
Aztiker	02.10.12–11.10.12	1,200	?	34.7	14.6	10.8	—	—	0.0	2.2	28.5	3.2	6.2
Sigma Dos	08.10.12–10.10.12	1,050	?	33.3	20.2	14.7	—	—	—	2.1	24.5	2.8	8.8
My Word	03.10.12–10.10.12	1,206	?	32.3	18.8	10.5	—	—	1.5	5.8	25.6	1.8	6.7
Aztiker	01.10.12–10.10.12	?	?	35.2	14.6	10.4	—	—	—	2.2	28.3	3.3	6.9
Aztiker	30.09.12–09.10.12	?	?	34.4	15.3	10.8	—	—	—	2.1	28.2	3.2	6.2
Aztiker	29.09.12–08.10.12	?	?	34.6	15.3	11.2	—	—	—	2.0	27.9	3.1	6.7
Ikerfel	06.10.12–07.10.12	2,000	?	33.1	18.5	12.5	—	—	—	1.9	26.3	4.5	6.8
Aztiker	28.09.12–07.10.12	?	?	32.7	15.6	11.5	—	—	—	2.6	27.2	3.8	5.5
Ikertalde	01.10.12–05.10.12	2,254	69%	33.4	19.4	11.4	—	—	0.7	1.5	26.6	2.6	6.8
Aztiker	25.09.12–05.10.12	?	?	32.2	16.8	11.8	—	—	—	2.1	27.4	3.0	4.8
NC Report	25.09.12–04.10.12	?	?	32.1	18.9	13.3	—	—	—	2.8	28.0	—	4.1
Aztiker	24.09.12–04.10.12	?	?	33.4	14.9	12.4	—	—	—	2.0	27.2	3.4	6.2
Gizaker	02.10.12–03.10.12	?	?	33.9	19.8	14.2	—	—	1.1	1.3	27.1	1.9	6.8
Aztiker	23.09.12–03.10.12	?	?	35.8	15.8	13.8	—	—	—	1.7	27.4	3.6	8.4
Aztiker	22.09.12–02.10.12	1,030	?	35.1	16.3	14.1	—	—	0.2	1.7	26.8	3.8	8.3
NC Report	30.09.12	?	?	31.5	17.1	13.7	—	—	—	3.1	27.5	—	4.0
CIS	10.09.12–25.09.12	2,898	?	36.2	17.2	10.7	—	—	—	2.0	25.1	4.2	11.1
NC Report	23.09.12	?	?	31.5	18.2	13.8	—	—	—	2.5	27.7	—	3.8
NC Report	16.09.12	?	?	32.0	18.6	14.3	—	—	—	2.9	26.7	—	5.3
NC Report	09.09.12	?	?	31.8	18.9	14.2	—	—	—	2.8	26.3	—	5.5
NC Report	21.08.12–25.08.12	570	64.3%	31.2	19.0	14.1	—	—	—	3.1	26.5	3.5	4.7
Sigma Dos	22.08.12–24.08.12	900	?	33.7	21.4	12.8	—	—	—	1.1	27.3	2.3	6.4
Ikerfel	24.06.12	750	?	34.6	18.8	12.1	—	—	—	1.2	25.8	4.7	8.8
NC Report	21.06.12–23.06.12	750	64.3%	30.6	19.5	16.7	—	—	3.8	2.3	25.1	—	5.5
UPV/EHU	08.05.12–24.05.12	1,200	65%	32.1	20.0	14.0	—	—	2.0	1.8	24.7	3.0	7.4
NC Report	07.05.12–12.05.12	900	64.3%	29.8	19.1	16.5	—	—	3.5	—	27.2	—	2.6
Gara	23.04.12	625	?	29	15	16	1	—	5	—	28	—	1
UPV/EHU	25.11.11–19.12.11	1,200	65%	30.7	18.3	15.4	—	—	—	1.8	24.7	3.1	6.0
General Election	20.11.11	N/A	67.3%	27.4	21.6	17.8	—	—	—	1.8	24.1	3.7	3.3
JJGG Election	22.05.11	N/A	63.5%	29.6	16.1	13.7	3.3	—	3.2	0.8	24.3	—	5.3
Gizaker	27.01.11–29.01.11	?	?	36.7	24.4	12.4	5.4	—	—	1.5	12.8	—	12.3
Gizaker	02.04.10	?	67.7%	38.9	29.3	13.3	9.5	3.3	2.2	1.8	—	—	9.6
EP Election	07.06.09	N/A	41.2%	28.5	27.8	16.0	5.6		1.8	1.5	16.0	—	0.7

Regional Election	01.03.09	N/A	64.7%	38.1	30.4	13.9	6.0	3.6	3.5	2.1	—	—	7.7

Seat projections

Opinion polls showing seat projections are displayed in the table below. The highest seat figures in each polling survey have their background shaded in the leading party's colour. In the instance that there is a tie, then no figure is shaded. 38 seats were required for an absolute majority in the Basque Parliament.

Color key:

Exit poll

Polling firm/Link	Fieldwork/ publication date						EB–B
Polling firm/Link	Fieldwork/ publication date

Regional Election	21.10.12	27	16	10	—	—	0	1	21	0

Ipsos-Eco Consulting	21.10.12	24/27	13/15	9/11	—	—	0	0/1	23/26	0/1
NC Report	02.10.12–13.10.12	24/27	14/16	10/12	—	—	0	1	20/22	2
Aztiker	02.10.12–11.10.12	28	12	9	—	—	0	1	24	1
Sigma Dos	08.10.12–10.10.12	24/26	16/18	12	—	—	0	0	20	1
My Word	03.10.12–10.10.12	25/27	14/15	9/10	—	—	0	1	23/25	0
Aztiker	01.10.12–10.10.12	28	12	8	—	—	0	1	24	2
Aztiker	30.09.12–09.10.12	28	12	9	—	—	0	1	24	1
Aztiker	29.09.12–08.10.12	27	13	10	—	—	0	1	23	1
Ikerfel	06.10.12–07.10.12	25/27	15/16	10	—	—	0	0/1	21	2/3
Aztiker	28.09.12–07.10.12	27	13	9	—	—	0	1	23	2
Ikertalde	01.10.12–05.10.12	24/26	16/17	10	—	—	0	1	21/23	0/1
Aztiker	25.09.12–05.10.12	26	13	10	—	—	0	1	24	1
NC Report	25.09.12–04.10.12	24/25	14	10/12	—	—	0	1	21/23	3
Aztiker	24.09.12–04.10.12	26	13	11	—	—	0	0	23	2
Gizaker	02.10.12–03.10.12	24/25	16/17	11/13	—	—	0	0	21/22	0
Aztiker	23.09.12–03.10.12	26	14	11	—	—	0	1	22	1
Aztiker	22.09.12–02.10.12	26	14	11	—	—	0	0	22	2
NC Report	30.09.12	23/25	14/15	11/13	—	—	0	0	22/24	0/1
CIS	10.09.12–25.09.12	27	14	9/10	—	—	0	0	21/22	3
NC Report	23.09.12	23/25	14/15	11/13	—	—	0	0	21/24	1/2
NC Report	16.09.12	23/26	14/16	11/13	—	—	0	1	21/22	1
NC Report	21.08.12–25.08.12	22/25	14/16	11/13	—	—	0	1	20/22	2
Sigma Dos	22.08.12–24.08.12	24/25	17	12	—	—	0	0	21/22	0
Ikerfel	24.06.12	24/26	14/17	11/12	—	—	0	0	19/21	2
NC Report	21.06.12–23.06.12	22/24	15/16	14	—	—	1/2	0	21/22	0
UPV/EHU	08.05.12–24.05.12	23/24	17	12/13	—	—	0	0	22	0
NC Report	07.05.12–12.05.12	22/23	15	14	—	—	1/2	0	22/23	0
Gara	23.04.12	22	12	15	—	—	2	0	24	0
UPV/EHU	25.11.11–19.12.11	22/23	16	14	—	—	0	0	19/22	0/3
General Election	20.11.11	(20)	(18)	(15)	—	—	—	(0)	(20)	(2)
JJGG Election	22.05.11	(24)	(13)	(13)	(1)	—	(2)	(0)	(22)	—
Gizaker	27.01.11–29.01.11	29/30	20/21	11/12	3/4	0	0	1	9/10	—
Gizaker	02.04.10	31	24	12	5	1	1	1	—	—
EP Election	07.06.09	(21)	(24)	(14)	(4)		(0)	(0)	(12)	—

Regional Election	01.03.09	30	25	13	4	1	1	1	—	—

Results

Overall

← Summary of the 21 October 2012 Basque Parliament election results →
Party		Popular vote			Seats

Party		Votes	%	±pp	Won	+/−
	Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV)	384,766	34.16	–3.98	27	–3
	Basque Country Unite (EH Bildu)^{[lower-alpha 1]}	277,923	24.67	+15.05	21	+16
	Socialist Party of the Basque Country–Basque Country Left (PSE–EE (PSOE))	212,809	18.89	–11.47	16	–9
	People's Party of the Basque Country (PP)	130,584	11.59	–2.36	10	–3
	United Left–The Greens: Plural Left (IU–LV)	30,318	2.69	New	0	±0
	Union, Progress and Democracy (UPyD)	21,539	1.91	–0.21	1	±0
	United Left–Greens (EB–B)	17,345	1.54	–1.93	0	–1
	Equo Greens–Basque Ecologists (EB–EE)	11,625	1.03	New	0	±0
	Blank Seats (EB/AZ)	11,480	1.02	New	0	±0

Parties with less than 1.0% of the vote		13,371	1.19	—	±0
	Animalist Party Against Mistreatment of Animals (PACMA/ATTKAA)	4,066	0.36	+0.22	±0
	Jaded.org (Hartos.org)	2,831	0.25	New	±0
	For a Fairer World (PUM+J)	2,476	0.22	–0.07	±0
	Humanist Party (PH)	1,113	0.10	+0.06	±0
	Family and Life Party (PFyV)	821	0.07	–0.03	±0
	Internationalist Socialist Workers' Party (POSI)	778	0.07	–0.04	±0
	Communist Unification of Spain (UCE)	684	0.06	New	±0
	Basque Communists–Communist Party of the Peoples of Spain (EK–PCPE)	442	0.04	New	±0
	Welcome (Ongi Etorri)	101	0.01	New	±0
	Community Integration Party (PYC)	59	0.01	New	±0

	Blank ballots	14,640	1.30	+0.20

Total		1,126,400	100.00		75	±0

Valid votes		1,126,400	99.18	+7.98
Invalid votes		9,168	0.81	–7.98
Votes cast / turnout		1,135,568	63.96	–0.72
Abstentions		639,783	36.04	+0.72
Registered voters		1,775,351

Source: Argos Information Portal
1 2 EH Bildu results are compared to the combined totals of Aralar and Basque Solidarity in the 2009 election.

Vote share

EAJ/PNV			34.16%
EH Bildu			24.67%
PSE–EE (PSOE)			18.89%
PP			11.59%
IU–LV			2.69%
UPyD			1.91%
EB–B			1.54%
EB–EE			1.03%
EB/AZ			1.02%
Others			1.19%
Blank ballots			1.30%

Parliamentary seats

EAJ/PNV			36.00%
EH Bildu			28.00%
PSE–EE (PSOE)			21.33%
PP			13.33%
UPyD			1.33%

Results by district

Álava

Biscay

Gipuzkoa


District	PNV		EHB		PSE–EE		PP		UPyD
	%	S	%	S	%	S	%	S	%	S
Álava	25.5	7	21.7	6	19.3	6	18.7	5	3.5	1
Biscay	37.9	11	21.2	6	18.7	5	11.7	3	1.8	−
Gipuzkoa	31.6	9	31.8	9	19.0	5	8.4	2	1.4	−
Total	34.2	27	24.7	21	18.9	16	11.6	10	1.9	1

Aftermath

Investiture vote

First round: 12 December 2012
Absolute majority (38/75) required
Choice		Vote
Choice		Parties	Votes
	NIñigo Urkullu	PNV (27)	27 / 75
	NLaura Mintegi	EH Bildu (21)	21 / 75
	Blank ballots	PSE–EE (16), PP (10), UPyD (1)	27 / 75
Source: Historia Electoral

Second round: 13 December 2012
Simple majority required
Choice		Vote
Choice		Parties	Votes
	YIñigo Urkullu	PNV (27)	27 / 75
	NLaura Mintegi	EH Bildu (21)	21 / 75
	Blank ballots	PSE–EE (16), PP (10), UPyD (1)	27 / 75
Source: Historia Electoral

References

Elections and referendums in the Basque Country

Parliamentary elections	1980 1984 1986 1990 1994 1998 2001 2005 2009 2012 2016 next

General elections	1977 1979 1982 1986 1989 1993 1996 2000 2004 2008 2011 2015 2016 next

Referendums	1933 1979

Regional elections in Spain in the 2010s

2010	November: Catalonia

2011	May: Aragon Asturias Balearic Islands Canary Islands Cantabria Castile and León Castile-La Mancha Ceuta Extremadura La Rioja Madrid Melilla Murcia Navarre Valencian Community

2012	March: Andalusia Asturias October: Basque Country Galicia November: Catalonia

2015	March: Andalusia May: Aragon Asturias Balearic Islands Canary Islands Cantabria Castile and León Castile-La Mancha Ceuta Extremadura La Rioja Madrid Melilla Murcia Navarre Valencian Community September: Catalonia

2016	September: Basque Country Galicia

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