1981 Belgian general election

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1981 Belgian general election
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg
  1978 8 November 1981 1985  

212 seats in the Chamber of Representatives
 First partySecond partyThird party
 
Mark Eyskens 1986.jpg
Andre Cools.jpg
Ministers Belgische Kabinet. Vice Eerste Minister W. de Clerq (PVV), Bestanddeelnr 918-9461.jpg
Leader Mark Eyskens André Cools Willy De Clercq
Party CVP PS Open Vld
Leader sinceCandidate for PM19781977
Last election57 seats, 26.14%31 seats, 12.46%22 seats, 10.36%
Seats won433528
Seat changeDecrease2.svg 14Increase2.svg 4Increase2.svg 6
Popular vote1,165,239733,137776,871
Percentage19.34%12.17%12.89%
SwingDecrease2.svg 6.80%Decrease2.svg 0.29%Increase2.svg 2.53%

 Fourth partyFifth partySixth party
 
Karel van Miert (SP, Belgie), Bestanddeelnr 933-5684.jpg
PRL
Victor anciaux-1486816672.jpg
Leader Karel Van Miert Jean Gol Vic Anciaux
Party sp.a PRL VU
Leader since197819791979
Last election26 seats, 12.37%15 seats, 4.64%14 seats, 7.02%
Seats won262420
Seat changeSteady2.svgIncrease2.svg 9Increase2.svg 6
Popular vote744,593480,380588,436
Percentage12.36%7.97%9.77%
SwingDecrease2.svg 0.01%Increase2.svg 3.33%Increase2.svg 2.75%

1981 Belgian legislative election results map.svg
1981 Belgian senate election results map.svg

Government before election

M. Eyskens
CVP-PSC-PS-SP

Government after election

Martens V
CVP-PSC-PVV-PRL

General elections were held in Belgium on 8 November 1981. [1] [2] Voter turnout was 94.5% in the Chamber election and 94.6% in the Senate election. [3] Elections were also held for the nine provincial councils and for the Council of the German Cultural Community. They were the first elections after the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18. This contributed to the success of the socialist parties and the green parties (Agalev and Ecolo).

Contents

The traditionally largest Christian People's Party saw significant losses, with only 43 of the 212 seats in the Chamber of Representatives. The result was considered an election upset. [2]

Results

Chamber of Representatives

Belgian Chamber 1981.svg
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Christian People's Party 1,165,23919.3443–14
Party for Freedom and Progress 776,87112.8928+6
Parti Socialiste 764,92112.7035+4
Socialistische Partij 744,59312.36260
People's Union 588,4369.7720+6
Liberal Reformist Party 480,3807.9724+9
Social Christian Party 390,8966.4918–7
FDFWalloon Rally 253,7204.218–3
Democratic Union for the Respect of Labour 163,7272.723+2
Ecolo 151,8262.522+2
Agalev 138,5752.302+2
Communist Party of Belgium 138,9782.312–2
Vlaams Blok 66,4241.1010
Workers' Party of Belgium 45,8040.760New
Christian Social Party 39,9610.660New
PRLPFF 35,9250.600New
WALLON31,0610.520New
Party of German-speaking Belgians 8,3970.1400
Party of New Forces 7,5810.1300
Revolutionary Workers' League 7,1100.1200
Revolutionary Workers' League for Socialism5,2410.090New
BLANCO4,1180.070New
Direct Democracy3,5450.060New
Belgian National Party3,3570.060New
Francophone National Union2,9140.050New
Party for Christian Politics Alternative1,7850.030New
United Feminist Party8560.0100
Appeal to Youth8380.010New
Democratic Radical Union5980.010New
List 125880.010New
List 143720.010New
Namur Independent Candidate2100.000New
List 131800.000New
Total6,025,027100.002120
Valid votes6,025,02792.66
Invalid/blank votes477,0437.34
Total votes6,502,070100.00
Registered voters/turnout6,877,46694.54
Source: Belgian Elections

Senate

Belgium Senate 1981.svg
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Christian People's Party 1,149,35319.2622–7
Party for Freedom and Progress 781,13713.0914+3
Parti Socialiste 755,51212.6618New
Socialistische Partij 732,12612.2713New
People's Union 587,0029.8410+3
Liberal Reformist Party 515,8688.6411New
Social Christian Party 414,7336.958–4
FDFWalloon Rally 255,7274.284–3
Democratic Union for the Respect of Labour 164,1312.751+1
Ecolo 153,9892.583+3
Communist Party of Belgium 140,5772.3610
Agalev 121,0162.031New
Vlaams Blok 71,7331.2000
Workers' Party of Belgium 49,5770.830New
WALLON30,6320.510New
Party of German-speaking Belgians 8,7700.1500
Revolutionary Workers' League 8,4500.1400
Revolutionary Workers' League for Socialism5,8940.100New
Party of New Forces 5,3170.090New
ECOLOS 2,7960.050New
Francophone National Union2,7210.050New
Direct Democracy2,2950.040New
Party of New Forces (Wallonia) 2,0920.040New
GOOSSE1,5110.030New
BELGE1,3260.020New
United Feminist Party1,0520.0200
Protest from the Small Saver7370.010New
Democratic Radical Union6290.010New
List 126260.010New
PAIX6110.010New
List 143780.010New
List 131110.000New
Total5,968,429100.001060
Valid votes5,968,42991.78
Invalid/blank votes534,2978.22
Total votes6,502,726100.00
Registered voters/turnout6,877,46694.55
Source: Belgian Elections

References

  1. Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p289 ISBN   978-3-8329-5609-7
  2. 1 2 Hearl, Derek; Rudd, Christopher (1982). "The Belgian general election of 1981: A preliminary report" . Electoral Studies. 1 (1): 100–106. doi:10.1016/0261-3794(82)90133-0. ISSN   0261-3794.
  3. Nohlen & Stöver, p291