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1981 Belgian general election

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1981 Belgian general election

← 1978 8 November 1981 1985 →

212 seats in the Chamber of Representatives
  First party Second party Third 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 since Candidate for PM 1978 1977
Last election 57 seats, 26.14% 31 seats, 12.46% 22 seats, 10.36%
Seats won 43 35 28
Seat change Decrease 14 Increase 4 Increase 6
Popular vote 1,165,239 733,137 776,871
Percentage 19.34% 12.17% 12.89%
Swing Decrease 6.80% Decrease 0.29% Increase 2.53%

  Fourth party Fifth party Sixth party
 
Karel_van_Miert_(SP,_Belgi%C3%AB),_Bestanddeelnr_933-5684.jpg
PRL
Victor anciaux-1486816672.jpg
Leader Karel Van Miert Jean Gol Vic Anciaux
Party sp.a PRL VU
Leader since 1978 1979 1979
Last election 26 seats, 12.37% 15 seats, 4.64% 14 seats, 7.02%
Seats won 26 24 20
Seat change Steady Increase 9 Increase 6
Popular vote 744,593 480,380 588,436
Percentage 12.36% 7.97% 9.77%
Swing Decrease 0.01% Increase 3.33% Increase 2.75%


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).

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

[edit]

Chamber of Representatives

[edit]
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Christian People's Party1,165,23919.3443–14
Party for Freedom and Progress776,87112.8928+6
Parti Socialiste764,92112.7035+4
Socialistische Partij744,59312.36260
People's Union588,4369.7720+6
Liberal Reformist Party480,3807.9724+9
Social Christian Party390,8966.4918–7
FDFWalloon Rally253,7204.218–3
Democratic Union for the Respect of Labour163,7272.723+2
Ecolo151,8262.522+2
Agalev138,5752.302+2
Communist Party of Belgium138,9782.312–2
Vlaams Blok66,4241.1010
Workers' Party of Belgium45,8040.760New
Christian Social Party39,9610.660New
PRLPFF35,9250.600New
WALLON31,0610.520New
Party of German-speaking Belgians8,3970.1400
Party of New Forces7,5810.1300
Revolutionary Workers' League7,1100.1200
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

[edit]
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Christian People's Party1,149,35319.2622–7
Party for Freedom and Progress781,13713.0914+3
Parti Socialiste755,51212.6618New
Socialistische Partij732,12612.2713New
People's Union587,0029.8410+3
Liberal Reformist Party515,8688.6411New
Social Christian Party414,7336.958–4
FDFWalloon Rally255,7274.284–3
Democratic Union for the Respect of Labour164,1312.751+1
Ecolo153,9892.583+3
Communist Party of Belgium140,5772.3610
Agalev121,0162.031New
Vlaams Blok71,7331.2000
Workers' Party of Belgium49,5770.830New
WALLON30,6320.510New
Party of German-speaking Belgians8,7700.1500
Revolutionary Workers' League8,4500.1400
Revolutionary Workers' League for Socialism5,8940.100New
Party of New Forces5,3170.090New
ECOLOS2,7960.050New
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

[edit]
  1. ^ Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p289 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
  2. ^ a b 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