1989 Portuguese local elections

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1989 Portuguese local elections
Flag of Portugal (official).svg
  1985 17 December 1989 1993  

All 305 Portuguese municipalities and 4,260 Portuguese Parishes
All 2,002 local government councils
Turnout60.9% Decrease2.svg 2.1 pp
 First partySecond party
 
Jorge Sampaio 2.jpg
Cavaco Silva 1988.png
Leader Jorge Sampaio Aníbal Cavaco Silva
Party PS PSD
Last election79 mayors, 27.4%149 mayors, 34.2%
Popular vote1,815,155 [1] 1,747,406 [2]
Percentage36.8%35.4%
SwingIncrease2.svg 9.4 pp Increase2.svg 1.2 pp
Mayors120 [3] 114 [4]
Mayors +/–Increase2.svg 41Decrease2.svg 35
Councillors753 [5] 793 [6]
Councillors +/–Increase2.svg 179Decrease2.svg 26

 Third partyFourth party
 
Alvaro Cunhal 1980 (cropped).jpg
Freitas do Amaral, XV Cimeira Ibero-Americana - Salamanca, Espanha.jpg
Leader Álvaro Cunhal Diogo Freitas do Amaral
Party PCP CDS
Alliance CDU
Last election47 mayors, 19.4%27 mayors, 9.8%
Popular vote656,719452,079 [7]
Percentage13.3%9.2%
SwingDecrease2.svg 6.1 pp Decrease2.svg 0.3 pp
Mayors5020
Mayors +/–Increase2.svg 3Decrease2.svg 7
Councillors258180 [8]
Councillors +/–Decrease2.svg 45Decrease2.svg 42

Local elections were held in Portugal on 17 December 1989. The elections consisted of three separate elections in the 305 Portuguese municipalities, the election for the Municipal Chambers, another election for the Municipal Assembly and a last one for the lower-level Parish Assembly, whose winner is elected parish president. This last was held separately in the more than 4,200 parishes around the country.

Contents

For the first time since democracy was restored, the center-left/left-wing parties won a nationwide local election. The Socialist Party won, also for the 1st time, the status of largest local party, a title the Socialists would hold on until 2001, and gained control in many big cities across the country, like Lisbon and Porto. [9] In Lisbon, the PS leader, Jorge Sampaio, in a coalition with CDU, defeated the PSD/CDS candidate, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, by a 49 to 42 percent margin. The Socialists had a net gain of 41 cities, and won important cities like Guimarães, Coimbra, Faro and Vila Nova de Gaia.

The Social Democrats (PSD), were the big losers of the elections. The party lost its status as the largest local party and suffered heavy losses across the country, particularly in the big cities. The PSD lost a total of 35 cities, although was able to increase its share of the vote to 35 percent. The results contrast with the landslide election victory the PSD won in the 1987 general elections. Many of Cavaco Silva's government policies such as privatizations, which was creating some unemployment, or the tensions with some workers unions, like the Police protests in April 1989, [10] may have had a negative effect on the PSD chances.

The Democratic Unity Coalition (CDU) gained 3 cities, compared with 1985, and maintained their control in the Alentejo area. Nonetheless, the Communist/Green coalition suffered a big drop in its share of vote, dropping 6 points to around 13 percent. The CDU was able to hold on to their bastions of Beja, Évora and Almada.

The Democratic and Social Centre (CDS), like PSD, had a very poor showing winning 20 cities, a drop of 7 cities. The party lost some important cities to either the PS or PSD, such as Póvoa de Varzim, Leiria and Viseu. At the same time, CDS made several coalitions with the PS in Azores and Madeira, and, together, the PS/CDS coalition won a combined total of 3 cities. Other smaller parties also made gains, like the UDP which gained Machico, Madeira islands, from the PSD

Turnout in these elections was lower compared with 4 years ago, with 60.9 percent of the electorate casting a ballot.

Electoral system

All 305 municipalities are allocated a certain number of councilors to elect corresponding to the number of registered voters in a given municipality. Each party or coalition must present a list of candidates. The winner of the most voted list for the municipal council is automatically elected mayor, similar to first-past-the-post (FPTP). The lists are closed and the seats in each municipality are apportioned according to the D'Hondt method. [11]

Parties

The main political forces involved in the election were:

1 The PS formed coalitions with CDS, CDU and MDP/CDE in several municipalities.
2 The PS formed coalitions with CDS and PPM in some municipalities.

Results

Municipal Councils

National summary of votes and seats

Summary of the 17 December 1989 Municipal Councils elections results
Parties Votes%±pp swing CandidaciesCouncillorsMayors
Total±Total±
Socialist 1,599,48332.40Increase2.svg5.0728Increase2.svg154116Increase2.svg37
Social Democratic 1,554,24531.49Decrease2.svg2.5780Decrease2.svg39113Decrease2.svg36
Democratic Unity Coalition 633,69312.84Decrease2.svg6.6253Decrease2.svg5050Increase2.svg3
Democratic and Social Centre 451,1269.14Decrease2.svg0.6179Decrease2.svg4320Decrease2.svg7
PSD / CDS / PPM 193,1613.91131
PS / CDU / MDP/CDE 180,7603.6691
Democratic Renewal 38,5650.78Decrease2.svg4.04Decrease2.svg350Decrease2.svg3
PS / CDS 34,9120.71153
CDU / PRD 23,0260.4750
Portuguese Workers' Communist 21,8190.44Increase2.svg0.20Steady2.svg00Steady2.svg0
People's Democratic Union 15,8760.32Decrease2.svg0.34Increase2.svg11Increase2.svg1
Portuguese Democratic Movement 11,3840.2310
Christian Democratic 7,1890.15Decrease2.svg0.11Decrease2.svg10Steady2.svg0
MDP/CDE / PRD 3,6070.0770
People's Monarchist 2,7680.06Decrease2.svg0.41Decrease2.svg30Steady2.svg0
Left Revolutionary Front 2,4240.0500
CDS / PS 9530.0210
PRD / MDP/CDE 7100.0110
Democratic Party of the Atlantic 3490.0100
Total valid4,765,96896.55Decrease2.svg0.42,002Increase2.svg27305Steady2.svg0
Blank ballots90,1141.83Increase2.svg0.3
Invalid ballots80,3281.63Increase2.svg0.1
Total4,936,410100.00
Registered voters/turnout8,110,49360.86Decrease2.svg2.1
Source: Comissão Nacional de Eleições Archived 2014-07-12 at the Wayback Machine

Municipality map

Most voted parties or coalitions in each Municipality. Municipalities won by:
# - PSD: 113
# - PS: 116
# - CDU: 50
# - CDS: 20
# - UDP: 1
# - PSD coalitions: 1
# - PS coalitions: 4 Autarquicas portuguesas de 1989 (Mapa Camara).png
Most voted parties or coalitions in each Municipality. Municipalities won by:
- PSD: 113
- PS: 116
- CDU: 50
- CDS: 20
- UDP: 1
- PSD coalitions: 1
- PS coalitions: 4

City control

The following table lists party control in all district capitals, highlighted in bold, as well as in municipalities above 100,000 inhabitants. Population estimates from the 1981 Census. [12]

MunicipalityPopulationPrevious controlNew control
Almada 147,690 Unitary Democratic Coalition (CDU) Unitary Democratic Coalition (CDU)
Amadora 163,878 Unitary Democratic Coalition (CDU) Unitary Democratic Coalition (CDU)
Aveiro 60,284 Democratic and Social Centre (CDS) Democratic and Social Centre (CDS)
Barcelos 103,773 Social Democratic Party (PSD) Social Democratic Party (PSD)
Beja 38,246 Unitary Democratic Coalition (CDU) Unitary Democratic Coalition (CDU)
Braga 125,472 Socialist Party (PS) Socialist Party (PS)
Bragança 35,380 Democratic and Social Centre (CDS) Socialist Party (PS)
Cascais 141,498 Social Democratic Party (PSD) Social Democratic Party (PSD)
Castelo Branco 54,908 Social Democratic Party (PSD) Social Democratic Party (PSD)
Coimbra 138,930 Social Democratic Party (PSD) Socialist Party (PS)
Évora 51,572 Unitary Democratic Coalition (CDU) Unitary Democratic Coalition (CDU)
Faro 45,109 Social Democratic Party (PSD) Socialist Party (PS)
Funchal 112,746 Social Democratic Party (PSD) Social Democratic Party (PSD)
Gondomar 130,751 Socialist Party (PS) Socialist Party (PS)
Guarda 40,360 Socialist Party (PS) Socialist Party (PS)
Guimarães 146,959 Social Democratic Party (PSD) Socialist Party (PS)
Leiria 96,517 Democratic and Social Centre (CDS) Social Democratic Party (PSD)
Lisbon 807,937 Social Democratic Party (PSD) PS / CDU / MDP/CDE
Loures 276,467 Unitary Democratic Coalition (CDU) Unitary Democratic Coalition (CDU)
Matosinhos 136,498 Socialist Party (PS) Socialist Party (PS)
Oeiras 149,328 Social Democratic Party (PSD) Social Democratic Party (PSD)
Ponta Delgada 63,804 Social Democratic Party (PSD) PS / CDS
Portalegre 27,313 Socialist Party (PS) Social Democratic Party (PSD)
Porto 327,368 Social Democratic Party (PSD) Socialist Party (PS)
Santarém 62,896 Socialist Party (PS) Socialist Party (PS)
Santa Maria da Feira 109,531 Social Democratic Party (PSD) Social Democratic Party (PSD)
Setúbal 98,366 Socialist Party (PS) Socialist Party (PS)
Sintra 226,428 Social Democratic Party (PSD) PSD / CDS / PPM
Viana do Castelo 81,009 Social Democratic Party (PSD) Social Democratic Party (PSD)
Vila Nova de Famalicão 106,508 Socialist Party (PS) Socialist Party (PS)
Vila Nova de Gaia 226,331 Social Democratic Party (PSD) Socialist Party (PS)
Vila Real 47,020 Social Democratic Party (PSD) Social Democratic Party (PSD)
Viseu 83,261 Democratic and Social Centre (CDS) Social Democratic Party (PSD)

Municipal Assemblies

National summary of votes and seats

Summary of the 17 December 1989 Municipal Assemblies elections results
Parties Votes%±pp swing CandidaciesMandates
Total±
Socialist 1,574,63231.92Increase2.svg7.62,429Increase2.svg633
Social Democratic 1,544,87731.32Increase2.svg1.72,573Increase2.svg98
Democratic Unity Coalition 657,49913.33Decrease2.svg7.0849Decrease2.svg207
Democratic and Social Centre 443,7319.00Decrease2.svg7.2712Decrease2.svg303
PSD / CDS / PPM 195,2493.9641
PS / CDU / MDP/CDE 182,2373.6928
Democratic Renewal 41,0850.83Decrease2.svg4.426Decrease2.svg247
PS / CDS 34,0430.6941
CDU / PRD 23,4560.4818
People's Democratic Union 17,7060.36Decrease2.svg0.314Steady2.svg0
Portuguese Workers' Communist 11,0290.22Increase2.svg0.10Steady2.svg0
Portuguese Democratic Movement 9,2390.196
Christian Democratic 4,2500.09Steady2.svg0.03Increase2.svg1
MDP/CDE / PRD 2,7620.064
People's Monarchist 1,8590.04Decrease2.svg0.32Decrease2.svg5
Democratic Party of the Atlantic 1,3550.031
CDS / PS 9820.024
PRD / MDP/CDE 5050.012
Total valid4,722,46896.22Decrease2.svg0.46,753Increase2.svg81
Blank ballots104,2612.12Increase2.svg0.2
Invalid ballots81,4101.66Increase2.svg0.2
Total4,908,139100.00
Registered voters/turnout8,211,82159.77Decrease2.svg3.4
Source: Comissão Nacional de Eleições Archived 2017-12-06 at the Wayback Machine

Parish Assemblies

National summary of votes and seats

Summary of the 17 December 1989 Parish Assemblies elections results
Parties Votes%±pp swing CandidaciesMandatesPresidents
Total±Total±
Social Democratic 1,556,50931.69Decrease2.svg1.213,237Increase2.svg119
Socialist 1,522,65331.00Increase2.svg4.011,188Increase2.svg2,149
Democratic Unity Coalition 668,60813.61Decrease2.svg6.62,925Decrease2.svg751
Democratic and Social Centre 397,1648.09Decrease2.svg2.43,444Decrease2.svg1,087
PSD / CDS / PPM 189,3353.86403
PS / CDU / MDP/CDE 183,4043.73392
Independents91,5331.86Increase2.svg0.51,009Increase2.svg212
PS / CDS 32,1090.65181
Democratic Renewal 29,6840.60Decrease2.svg2.858Decrease2.svg668
People's Democratic Union 24,3240.50Decrease2.svg0.130Increase2.svg4
CDU / PRD 22,7130.4695
Portuguese Democratic Movement 7,6100.1513
Portuguese Workers' Communist 4,5760.09Steady2.svg0.00Steady2.svg0
People's Monarchist 1,2470.03Decrease2.svg0.09Decrease2.svg15
Democratic Party of the Atlantic 1,1620.023
Christian Democratic 1,0680.02Steady2.svg0.07Increase2.svg3
MDP/CDE / PRD 9520.025
PRD / MDP/CDE 2130.001
Total valid4,731,55496.41Decrease2.svg0.233,000Increase2.svg1,059
Blank ballots90,6061.85Increase2.svg0.0
Invalid ballots85,8341.75Increase2.svg0.2
Total4,907,994100.00
Registered voters/turnout8,882,93355.25Decrease2.svg8.3
Source: Comissão Nacional de Eleições Archived 2019-10-01 at the Wayback Machine

See also

References

  1. Sum of votes between PS-only lists and lists with other parties.
  2. Sum of votes between PSD-only lists and lists with other parties.
  3. Number of municipalities won between PS-only lists and lists with other parties. PS-only lists: 116; PS-coalition lists: 4.
  4. Number of municipalities won between PSD-only lists and lists with other parties. PSD-only lists: 113; PSD-coalition lists: 1.
  5. Sum of councillors between PS-only lists and lists with other parties.
  6. Sum of councillors between PSD-only lists and lists with other parties.
  7. Sum of votes between CDS-only lists and lists with other parties.
  8. Sum of councillors between CDS-only lists and lists with other parties.
  9. "As cores políticas que pintam o mapa do poder local de 1976 a 2013". Jornal de Negócios (in Portuguese). 2017.
  10. ""Secos e Molhados" na primeira pessoa: (Re)viver a História". Expresso (in Portuguese). 2016.
  11. Eleição dos titulares dos órgãos das autarquias locais. Diário da República (in Portuguese.) Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  12. "Instituto Nacional de Estatística (Recenseamentos Gerais da População)". www.ine.pt (in Portuguese). Statistics Portugal . Retrieved 17 July 2021.