2003 Aragonese regional election

2003 Aragonese regional election
25 May 2003
All 67 seats in the Cortes of Aragon
34 seats needed for a majority
Opinion polls
Registered1,019,644 0.2%
Turnout717,457 (70.4%)
5.8 pp
  First party Second party Third party
 
Leader Marcelino Iglesias Gustavo Alcalde Chesús Bernal
Party PSOE PP CHA
Leader since 15 February 1995 18 May 2001 29 June 1986
Leader's seat Zaragoza Zaragoza Zaragoza
Last election 23 seats, 30.8% 28 seats, 38.2% 5 seats, 11.0%
Seats won 27 22 9
Seat change 4 6 4
Popular vote 270,468 219,058 97,763
Percentage 37.9% 30.7% 13.7%
Swing 7.1 pp 7.5 pp 2.7 pp
  Fourth party Fifth party
 
Leader José Ángel Biel Adolfo Barrena
Party PAR IU
Leader since 2 June 2000 May 2002
Leader's seat Teruel Zaragoza
Last election 10 seats, 13.3% 1 seat, 3.9%
Seats won 8 1
Seat change 2 0
Popular vote 79,670 21,795
Percentage 11.2% 3.1%
Swing 2.1 pp 0.8 pp
Constituency results map for the Cortes of Aragon
President before election

Marcelino Iglesias
PSOE

Elected President

Marcelino Iglesias
PSOE

A regional election was held in Aragon on Sunday, 25 May 2003, to elect the 6th Cortes of the autonomous community. All 67 seats in the Cortes were up for election. It was held concurrently with regional elections in twelve other autonomous communities and local elections all across Spain.

The election saw the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), which had ruled Aragon since the previous election, becoming the largest party in the Courts for the first time since the 1991 election. The PSOE gains came at the expense of the People's Party (PP), which saw a drop of 7 points on its vote share. The Aragonese Union (CHA) made gains and overtook the Aragonese Party (PAR) as the third largest party in the Cortes. For the PAR, this was the fourth consecutive election where it lost ground. United Left (IU) held its single seat, albeit with a slightly reduced vote share.

The PSOE and PAR maintained the coalition administration formed after the previous election. As a result, Marcelino Iglesias was re-elected as President of Aragon.

Overview

Under the 1982 Statute of Autonomy, the Cortes of Aragon were the unicameral legislature of the homonymous autonomous community, having legislative power in devolved matters, as well as the ability to vote confidence in or withdraw it from a regional president.[1]

Electoral system

Voting for the Cortes was on the basis of universal suffrage, which comprised all nationals over 18 years of age, registered in Aragon and in full enjoyment of their political rights, provided that they were not sentenced—by a final court ruling—to deprivation of the right to vote, nor being legally incapacitated.[2][3][4]

The Cortes of Aragon were entitled to a minimum of 60 and a maximum of 75 seats, with the electoral law setting its size at 67. All members were elected in three multi-member constituencies—corresponding to the provinces of Huesca, Teruel and Zaragoza, with each being allocated an initial minimum of 13 seats and the remaining 28 being distributed in proportion to their populations (provided that the seat-to-population ratio in the most populated province did not exceed 2.75 times that of the least populated one)—using the D'Hondt method and a closed list proportional voting system, with an electoral threshold of three percent of valid votes (which included blank ballots) being applied in each constituency.[2][5] The use of the electoral method resulted in an effective threshold based on the district magnitude and the distribution of votes among candidacies.[6]

As a result of the aforementioned allocation, each Cortes constituency was entitled the following seats:[7]

Seats Constituencies
35 Zaragoza(+1)
18 Huesca
14 Teruel(–1)

The law did not provide for by-elections to fill vacated seats; instead, any vacancies that occurred after the proclamation of candidates and into the legislative term were to be covered by the successive candidates in the list and, when required, by the designated substitutes.[8][9]

Election date

The term of the Cortes of Aragon expired four years after the date of its previous ordinary election, with election day being fixed for the fourth Sunday of May every four years. The election decree was required to be issued no later than the fifty-fifth day prior to the scheduled election date and published on the following day in the Official Gazette of Aragon (BOA).[2][10][11] The previous election was held on 13 June 1999, setting the date for election day on the fourth Sunday of May four years later, which was 25 May 2003.

The regional president had the prerogative to dissolve the Cortes of Aragon and call a snap election, provided that no motion of no confidence was in process, no nationwide election was due and some time requirements were met: namely, that dissolution did not occur either during the first legislative session or within the parliament's last year ahead of its scheduled expiry, nor before one year had elapsed since a previous dissolution.[12][13] In the event of an investiture process failing to elect a regional president within a two-month period from the first ballot, the Cortes were to be automatically dissolved and a fresh election called. Any snap election held as a result of these circumstances would not alter the period to the next ordinary election, with elected deputies merely serving out what remained of their original four-year term.[13][14]

The election to the Cortes of Aragon was officially called on 1 April 2003 with the publication of the corresponding decree in the BOA, setting election day for 25 May and scheduling for the chamber to reconvene on 20 June.[7]

Outgoing parliament

The table below shows the composition of the parliamentary groups in the chamber at the time of the election call.[15]

Parliamentary composition in April 2003
Groups Parties Legislators
Seats Total
People's Parliamentary Group PP 28 28
Socialist Parliamentary Group PSOE 23 23
Aragonese Parliamentary Group PAR 10 10
Aragonese Union Parliamentary Group CHA 5 5
Mixed Parliamentary Group IU 1 1

Parties and candidates

The electoral law allowed for parties and federations registered in the interior ministry, alliances and groupings of electors to present lists of candidates. Parties and federations intending to form an alliance ahead of an election were required to inform the relevant electoral commission within ten days of the election call, whereas groupings of electors needed to secure the signature of at least one percent of the electorate in the constituencies for which they sought election, disallowing electors from signing for more than one list of candidates.[16][17]

Below is a list of the main parties and electoral alliances which contested the election:

Candidacy Parties and
alliances 		Leading candidate Ideology Previous result Gov. Ref.
Vote % Seats
PP
List
 Gustavo Alcalde Conservatism
Christian democracy 		38.2% 28 [18]
[19]
[20]
[21]
PSOE
List
 Marcelino Iglesias Social democracy 30.8% 23 [22]
PAR
List
 José Ángel Biel Regionalism
Centrism 		13.3% 10 [23]
CHA
List
 Chesús Bernal Aragonese nationalism
Eco-socialism 		11.0% 5 [24]
IU
List
 Adolfo Barrena Socialism
Communism 		3.9% 1 [25]
[26]

Opinion polls

The tables below list opinion polling results in reverse chronological order, showing the most recent first and using the dates when the survey fieldwork was done, as opposed to the date of publication. Where the fieldwork dates are unknown, the date of publication is given instead. The highest percentage figure in each polling survey is displayed with its background shaded in the leading party's colour. If a tie ensues, this is applied to the figures with the highest percentages. The "Lead" column on the right shows the percentage-point difference between the parties with the highest percentages in a poll.

Voting intention estimates

The table below lists weighted voting intention estimates. Refusals are generally excluded from the party vote percentages, while question wording and the treatment of "don't know" responses and those not intending to vote may vary between polling organisations. When available, seat projections determined by the polling organisations are displayed below (or in place of) the percentages in a smaller font; 34 seats were required for an absolute majority in the Cortes of Aragon.

Color key:

  Exit poll

Voting preferences

The table below lists raw, unweighted voting preferences.

Victory preferences

The table below lists opinion polling on the victory preferences for each party in the event of a municipal election taking place.

Victory likelihood

The table below lists opinion polling on the perceived likelihood of victory for each party in the event of a municipal election taking place.

Preferred President

The table below lists opinion polling on leader preferences to become president of the Government of Aragon.

Results

Overall

← Summary of the 25 May 2003 Cortes of Aragon election results →
Parties and alliances Popular vote Seats
Votes % ±pp Total +/−
Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) 270,468 37.94 +7.13 27 +4
People's Party (PP) 219,058 30.73 −7.48 22 −6
Aragonese Union (CHA) 97,763 13.71 +2.67 9 +4
Aragonese Party (PAR) 79,670 11.18 −2.07 8 −2
United Left of Aragon (IU) 21,795 3.06 −0.80 1 ±0
The Greens–SOS Nature (LV–SOS)1 4,308 0.60 +0.05 0 ±0
Aragonese Initiative (INAR) 1,703 0.24 New 0 ±0
Family and Life Party (PFyV) 1,300 0.18 New 0 ±0
Democratic and Social Centre (CDS) 1,056 0.15 New 0 ±0
Republican Left (IR) 519 0.07 New 0 ±0
Humanist Party (PH) 330 0.05 −0.10 0 ±0
Blank ballots 14,874 2.09 +0.01
Total 712,844 67 ±0
Valid votes 712,844 99.36 +0.07
Invalid votes 4,613 0.64 −0.07
Votes cast / turnout 717,457 70.36 +5.76
Abstentions 302,187 29.64 −5.76
Registered voters 1,019,644
Sources[15][27][28][29]
Footnotes:
Popular vote
PSOE
 
 37.94%
PP
 
 30.73%
CHA
 
 13.71%
PAR
 
 11.18%
IU
 
 3.06%
Others
 
 1.29%
Blank ballots
 
 2.09%
Seats
PSOE
 
 40.30%
PP
 
 32.84%
CHA
 
 13.43%
PAR
 
 11.94%
IU
 
 1.49%

Distribution by constituency

Constituency PSOE PP CHA PAR IU
% S % S % S % S % S
Huesca 42.4 8 29.7 6 10.0 2 12.3 2 2.6 −
Teruel 34.8 5 33.6 5 7.6 1 18.2 3 3.7 −
Zaragoza 37.4 14 30.5 11 15.7 6 9.7 3 3.1 1
Total 37.9 27 30.7 22 13.7 9 11.2 8 3.1 1
Sources[15][27][28][29]

Aftermath

Government formation

Investiture
Nomination of Marcelino Iglesias (PSOE)
Ballot → 3 July 2003
Required majority → 34 out of 67 Y
Yes
35 / 67
No
  • • PP (22)
  • • CHA (9)
31 / 67
Abstentions
  • • IU (1)
1 / 67
Absentees
0 / 67
Sources[15][30]

References

Opinion poll sources
  1. ^ "El sondeo de Sigma Dos determina una lucha codo a codo entre populares y socialistas en Madrid". ABC (in Spanish). 25 May 2003. Archived from the original on 25 May 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  2. ^ "Sondeo a pie de urna de Ipsos Eco Consulting para TVE". ABC (in Spanish). 25 May 2003. Archived from the original on 7 December 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  3. ^ "El PSOE ganará en Aragón e Iglesias podrá repetir si le apoyan PAR o CHA". El Periódico de Aragón (in Spanish). 18 May 2003. Archived from the original on 12 December 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Preelectoral elecciones autonómicas, 2003. CA de Aragón (Estudio nº 2484. Marzo-Abril 2003)". CIS (in Spanish). 17 May 2003.
  5. ^ "La guerra pasa factura electoral al PP". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 18 May 2003. Archived from the original on 7 December 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  6. ^ "Iglesias podrá elegir entre PAR y CHA para un nuevo pacto". El Periódico de Aragón (in Spanish). 27 April 2003. Archived from the original on 12 December 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  7. ^ a b "Instituciones y autonomías, II. CA de Aragón (Estudio nº 2455. Septiembre-Octubre 2002)". CIS (in Spanish). 19 November 2002. Archived from the original on 12 December 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  8. ^ "El PP, partido más votado en diez Comunidades Autónomas" (PDF). El Mundo (in Spanish). 19 November 2002. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  9. ^ "El PP ganaría las autonómicas en diez Comunidades y el PSOE en cuatro, según el CIS". ABC (in Spanish). 20 November 2002. Archived from the original on 11 December 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
Other
  1. ^ Statute (1982), arts. 12–17.
  2. ^ a b c Statute (1982), arts. 18–19.
  3. ^ LEAr (1987), art. 2.
  4. ^ LOREG (1985), arts. 2–3.
  5. ^ LEAr (1987), arts. 12–14.
  6. ^ Gallagher, Michael (30 July 2012). "Effective threshold in electoral systems". Dublin: Trinity College Dublin. Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  7. ^ a b Decreto de 31 de marzo de 2003, de la Presidencia del Gobierno de Aragón, por el que se convocan elecciones a las Cortes de Aragón (Decree). Official Gazette of Aragon (in Spanish). 31 March 2003. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  8. ^ LEAr (1987), art. 15.
  9. ^ LOREG (1985), arts. 46 & 48.
  10. ^ LEAr (1987), art. 11.
  11. ^ LOREG (1985), art. 42.
  12. ^ Statute (1996), art. 23.
  13. ^ a b LPGA (2001), art. 11.
  14. ^ Statute (1982), art. 22.
  15. ^ a b c d Lozano, Carles. "Elecciones a las Cortes de Aragón (desde 1983)". Historia Electoral.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  16. ^ LEAr (1987), arts. 18–19.
  17. ^ LOREG (1985), art. 44.
  18. ^ Montserrat, Concha; Casqueiro, Javier (19 January 2001). "Santiago Lanzuela dimite de la presidencia del PP aragonés en plena crisis sobre el Plan Hidrológico". El País (in Spanish). Zaragoza / Madrid. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  19. ^ Casqueiro, Javier (7 May 2001). "Un letrado liberal que el PP convirtió en su nuevo líder de Aragón". El País (in Spanish). Madrid. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  20. ^ "Gustavo Alcalde, nuevo presidente del PP aragonés". El Mundo (in Spanish). Zaragoza. EFE. 19 May 2001. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  21. ^ "El PP se prepara para diseñar todo su banquillo electoral". El Periódico de Aragón (in Spanish). 14 December 2002. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  22. ^ Montserrat, Concha (18 December 2000). "Iglesias se afianza como líder del PSOE aragonés con el apoyo del 95%". El País (in Spanish). Zaragoza. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  23. ^ Montserrat, Concha (3 June 2000). "El Par encara su congreso con un solo candidato a presidente". El País (in Spanish). Zaragoza. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  24. ^ "Chunta se postula como opción decisiva de gobierno". El Periódico de Aragón (in Spanish). 24 October 2002. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  25. ^ "IU deja en minoría al PSOE en el Gobierno de Aragón". El Mundo (in Spanish). Zaragoza. EFE. 8 June 2002. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  26. ^ "Adolfo Barrena, nuevo coordinador regional de IU" (in Spanish). Cadena SER. 16 June 2002. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  27. ^ a b "Elecciones a Cortes de Aragón. Resultados del año 2003 en Aragón" (in Spanish). Cortes of Aragon. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  28. ^ a b "Archivo Electoral de Aragón. Cortes de Aragón 2003. Resultados. Aragón" (in Spanish). Government of Aragon. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  29. ^ a b "Resolución de 10 de junio de 2003, del Presidente de la Junta Electoral de Aragón, por la que se procede a la publicación del resumen de los resultados de las elecciones a las Cortes de Aragón convocadas por Decreto de 31 de marzo de 2003, de la Presidencia del Gobierno de Aragón, y celebradas el día 25 de mayo de 2003, según los datos que figuran en las actas de proclamación remitidas por las Juntas Electorales Provinciales de la Comunidad Autónoma de Aragón" (PDF). Official Gazette of Aragon (in Spanish) (74): 7749–7753. 20 June 2003. ISSN 9941-3256. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  30. ^ Montserrat, Concha (4 July 2003). "Marcelino Iglesias presidirá de nuevo el Gobierno de Aragón con el apoyo del Par". El País (in Spanish). Zaragoza. Retrieved 23 November 2025.

Bibliography

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