1998 Portuguese regionalisation 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.

Proposal of 8 administrative regions put forward in the referendum.

Party 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

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	For		Against		Invalid/ blank	Total votes	Registered voters	Turnout	Outcome
	Votes	%	Votes	%
Do you agree with implementing administrative region?	1,453,749	36.48	2,530,802	63.52	172,976	4,157,527	8,640,026	48.12	Rejected
Do you agree with concretely implementing the administrative region for the area where you live?	1,386,718	36.07	2,457,604	63.93	121,531	3,965,853	8,243,030	48.11	Rejected
Source: Nohlen & Stöver, STAPE