1998 Portuguese regionalisation referendum

Proposal of 8 administrative regions put forward in the referendum.

A referendum on creating administrative regions was held in Portugal on 8 November 1998. Two proposals were put to voters, the first on implementing the regions, and the second specifically asking whether voters approved of the new region for their area. The proposals were rejected by wide margins by voters.

Political positions

The major parties in Portugal at the time listed with their political positioning and their official answer to the referendum question:

• Left
  • Portuguese Communist Party - YES
  • Ecologist Party "The Greens" - YES
  • Socialist Party - YES
• Right
  • Social Democratic Party - NO
  • People's Party - NO

Campaign period

Choices slogans

Choice		Original slogan	English translation	Refs
	Yes	« Sim, por Portugal. » « A união faz a força. »	"Yes, for Portugal" "Unity is strength."
	No	« Vota Não à regionalização. » « Não e Não. »	"Vote No to regionalization" "No and No."

Results

Question I

Do you agree with implementing administrative region?

Portuguese regionalisation referendum, 1998

Choice	Votes	%
No	2,530,802	63.52
Yes	1,453,749	36.48
Valid votes	3,984,551	95.84
Invalid or blank votes	172,976	4.16
Total votes	4,157,527	100.00
Registered voters/turnout	8,640,026	48.12
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Referendum results (excluding invalid votes)
Yes 1,453,749 (36.5%)	No 2,530,802 (63.5%)
▲ 50%

Question II

Do you agree with concretely implementing the administrative region for the area where you live? (question placed only to registered citizens in Continental Portugal)

Portuguese regionalisation referendum, 1998

Choice	Votes	%
No	2,457,604	63.93
Yes	1,386,718	36.07
Valid votes	3,844,322	96.94
Invalid or blank votes	121,531	3.06
Total votes	3,965,853	100.00
Registered voters/turnout	8,243,030	48.11
Source: STAPE

Referendum results (excluding invalid votes)
Yes 1,386,718 (36.1%)	No 2,457,604 (63.9%)
▲ 50%