Electoral system The
Basque Parliament was the
devolved,
unicameral legislature of the
autonomous community of the
Basque Country, having legislative power in regional matters as defined by the
Spanish Constitution and the
Basque Statute of Autonomy, as well as the ability to vote confidence in or withdraw it from a
lehendakari. Voting for the Parliament was on the basis of
universal suffrage, which comprised all nationals over 18 years of age, registered in the Basque Country and in full enjoyment of their political rights. The 75 members of the Basque Parliament were elected using the
D'Hondt method and a
closed list proportional representation, with an
electoral threshold of five percent of valid votes being applied in each constituency. Seats were allocated to constituencies, corresponding to the
provinces of
Álava,
Biscay and
Guipúzcoa, with each being allocated a fixed number of 25 seats in order to provide for an equal parliamentary representation of the three provinces, as required under the regional statute of autonomy. The electoral law allowed for
parties and
federations registered in the
interior ministry,
coalitions and
groupings of electors to present
lists of candidates. Parties and federations intending to form a coalition ahead of an election were required to inform the relevant Electoral Commission within 10 days of the election call, whereas groupings of electors needed to secure the signature of at least 500 electors in the constituencies for which they sought election, disallowing electors from signing for more than one list.
Election date The term of the Basque Parliament expired four years after the date of its previous election, unless it was dissolved earlier. An election was required to take place within from 36 and 45 days after the expiration date of parliament. The
previous election was held on 26 February 1984, which meant that the chamber's term would have expired on 26 February 1988, setting the latest possible election date for the Parliament on 11 April 1988. ==Opinion polls==