2003 Valencia municipal election

Election in the Spanish municipality of Valencia 2003 Valencia municipal election City of Valencia parliamentary no 1999 Valencia municipal election 1999 2007 Valencia municipal election 2007 All 33 seats in the City Council of Valencia 17 #Opinion polls 631,225 10px 1.9% 432,366 (68.5%)10px 5.8 pp 25 May 2003 170x170px Rita Barberá People's Party of the Valencian Community 1991 20 seats, 53.2% 19 10px 1 220,548 51.2% 10px 2.0 pp 170x170px Rafael Rubio PSPV–PSOE 25 November 2000 11 seats, 29.0% 12 10px 1 132,903 30.8% 10px 1.8 pp 170x170px Antonio Montalbán L'Entesa 19 December 1998 2 seats, 6.4% 2 10px 0 31,519 7.3% 10px 0.9 pp Mayor Mayor after election Rita Barberá People's Party of the Valencian Community Rita Barberá People's Party of the Valencian Community A municipal election was held in Valencia on 25 May 2003 to elect the 7th City Council of the municipality. All 33 seats in the City Council were up for election. It was held concurrently with regional elections in thirteen autonomous communities and local elections all across Spain. Overview Under the 1978 Constitution, the governance of municipalities in Spain—part of the country's local government system—was centered on the figure of city councils (es ayuntamientos), local corporations with independent legal personality composed of a mayor, a government council and an elected legislative assembly.Constitution 1978 art. 140; LBRL 1985 art. 19. The mayor was indirectly elected by the local assembly, requiring an absolute majority; otherwise, the candidate from the most-voted party automatically became mayor (ties were resolved by drawing lots).LBRL 1985 art. 19; LOREG 1985 art. 196. In the case of Valencia, the top-tier administrative and governing body was the City Council of Valencia. Date The term of local assemblies in Spain expired four years after the date of their previous 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 54 days before the scheduled election date and published on the following day in the Official State Gazette (BOE).LOREG 1985 arts. 42 & 194. The previous local elections were 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. Local assemblies could not be dissolved before the expiration of their term, except in cases of mismanagement that seriously harmed the public interest and implied a breach of constitutional obligations, in which case the Council of Ministers could—optionally—decide to call a by-election.LBRL 1985 art. 61. Elections to the assemblies of local entities were officially called on 1 April 2003 with the publication of the corresponding decree in the BOE, setting election day for 25 May.Royal Decree 374/2003 2003 art. 1. Electoral system Voting for local assemblies was based on universal suffrage, comprising all Spanish nationals over 18 years of age, registered and residing in the municipality and with full political rights (provided that they had not been deprived of the right to vote by a final sentence, nor were legally incapacitated), as well as resident non-national European citizens, and those whose country of origin allowed reciprocal voting by virtue of a treaty.Constitution 1978 art. 13; LBRL 1985 art. 19; LOREG 1985 arts. 2–3 & 176. Local councillors were elected using the D'Hondt method and closed-list proportional voting, with a five percent-threshold of valid votes (including blank ballots) in each municipality.LOREG 1985 arts. 163 & 180. Each municipality was a multi-member constituency, with a number of seats based on the following scale:LOREG 1985 art. 179. Population Councillors <250 5 251–1,000 7 1,001–2,000 9 2,001–5,000 11 5,001–10,000 13 10,001–20,000 17 20,001–50,000 21 50,001–100,000 25 >100,001 +1 per each 100,000 inhabitants or fraction+1 if total is an even number The law did not provide for by-elections to fill vacant seats; instead, any vacancies arising after the proclamation of candidates and during the legislative term were filled by the next candidates on the party lists or, when required, by designated substitutes.LOREG 1985 arts. 46, 48 & 182. 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 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 a determined amount of the electors registered in the municipality for which they sought election, disallowing electors from signing for more than one list. In the case of Valencia, as its population was between 300,001 and 1,000,000, at least 5,000 signatures were required.LOREG 1985 arts. 44 & 187. Below is a list of the main parties and alliances which contested the election: Candidacy Parties andalliances Leading candidate Ideology Previous result Gov. Government Ref. References Vote % Seats PP List on People's Party (PP) 50px Rita Barberá ConservatismChristian democracy 53.2% 20 PSPV–PSOE List on Socialist Party of the Valencian Country (PSPV–PSOE) 50px Rafael Rubio Social democracy 29.0% 11 Ferrandis Joaquín 26 November 2000 Rafael Rubio gana la secretaría del PSPV en Valencia y Pedro Grande en La Ribera Alta https://elpais.com/diario/2000/11/26/cvalenciana/975269889_850215.html es El País Valencia 1 December 2025Ferrandis Joaquín Moltó Ezequiel 3 June 2002 Rubio gana las primarias socialistas de Valencia con el 65% y Bernal las de Alicante con el 52% https://elpais.com/diario/2002/06/03/cvalenciana/1023131883_850215.html es El País Valencia / Alicante 1 December 2025 L'Entesa List on United Left of the Valencian Country (EUPV)– Communist Party of the Valencian Country (PCPV)– Revolutionary Workers' Party (POR)– Workers' Revolutionary Party–Revolutionary Left (PRT–IR) Valencian Left (EV) 50px Antonio Montalbán SocialismCommunism 6.4% 2 Moltó Ezequiel 27 February 2002 https://elpais.com/diario/2002/02/27/cvalenciana/1014841086_850215.html La Entesa se abre a otros partidos de izquierda y grupos ecologistas es El País Alicante 11 November 2025Agencias 10 March 2002 https://elpais.com/diario/2002/03/10/cvalenciana/1015791486_850215.html EU aprueba la Entesa a falta de que sea ratificada en referéndum es El País Valencia 11 November 2025 UV List on Valencian Union (UV) 50px José María Chiquillo BlaverismConservatism 4.7% 0 EFE 27 January 2002 https://elpais.com/diario/2002/01/27/cvalenciana/1012162685_850215.html Chiquillo da por iniciada en UV la campaña electoral del año 2003 es El País Valencia 11 November 2025 Bloc–EV List on Valencian Nationalist Bloc (Bloc) Green Left (EV) 50px Ferran Puchades Valencian nationalismProgressivismEcologism 3.2% 0 Olivares Miguel 24 January 2000 https://elpais.com/diario/2000/01/24/cvalenciana/948745084_850215.html Mayor cierra el congreso constituyente del Bloc con sendos ataques a regionalistas y socialistas es El País Valencia 11 November 20256 October 2002 https://elpais.com/diario/2002/10/06/cvalenciana/1033931887_850215.html Puchades será el candidato del Bloc a la alcaldía de Valencia es El País Valencia 11 November 2025 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; 17 seats were required for an absolute majority in the City Council of Valencia. Polling firm/Commissioner Fieldwork date Sample size Turnout 33px|link=People's Party of the Valencian Community|PP 25px|link=Socialist Party of the Valencian Country|PSPV 27px|link=United Left of the Valencian Country|EUPV 27px|link=Valencian Union|UV 25px|link=Valencian Nationalist Bloc|Bloc–EV Lead 2003 municipal election 25 May 2003 68.5 51.275% Verdana 19 30.875% Verdana 12 7.375% Verdana 2 3.675% Verdana 0 2.675% Verdana 0 20.4 CISPreelectoral elecciones autonómicas, 2003. CA Valenciana (Estudio nº 2491. Marzo-Abril 2003) https://www.cis.es/documents/d/cis/es2491marpdf es CIS 17 May 2003La guerra pasa factura electoral al PP http://hemeroteca.lavanguardia.com/preview/2003/05/18/pagina-22/34011230/pdf.html es La Vanguardia 18 May 2003 22 Mar–28 Apr 2003 398 80.6 49.475% Verdana 18 30.375% Verdana 11 7.575% Verdana 2 3.675% Verdana 1 4.875% Verdana 1 19.1 Vox Pública/El PeriódicoValencia http://www.elperiodico.com/elecciones/default.asp?idpublicacio_PK=25&idioma=CAS&idnoticia_PK=43673&idseccio_PK=470&h=030423 es El Periódico de Catalunya 5 May 2003 https://web.archive.org/web/20030622201551/http://www.elperiodico.com/elecciones/default.asp?idpublicacio_PK=25&idioma=CAS&idnoticia_PK=43673&idseccio_PK=470&h=030423 2003-06-22Los valencianos mantienen su apoyo al PP tras irse Zaplana http://www.elperiodicodearagon.com/noticias/espana/valencianos-mantienen-apoyo-pp-irse-zaplana_55691.html es El Periódico de Aragón 5 May 2003VOX PUBLICA http://www.elperiodicodearagon.com/noticias/espana/vox-publica_55752.html es El Periódico de Aragón 5 May 2003 25–27 Apr 2003 500? 49.5–50.575% Verdana 18/20 27.5–28.575% Verdana 10/11 7.0–8.075% Verdana 2/3 5.0–6.075% Verdana 1/2 – 22.0 PSPVVázquez Cristina El PP pierde la mayoría absoluta en Valencia, según el PSPV https://elpais.com/diario/2003/05/01/cvalenciana/1051816684_850215.html es El País 1 May 2003 15–25 Apr 2003 920 68.7?75% Verdana 16?75% Verdana 14?75% Verdana 3 – – 5.5 Celeste-Tel/PSPVVázquez Cristina Pla dice que el PP va a la baja https://elpais.com/diario/2003/02/25/cvalenciana/1046204292_850215.html es El País 25 February 2003 27 Jan–4 Feb 2003 804? 50.5 37.5 – – – 13.0 2000 general election 12 Mar 2000 71.1 54.775% Verdana (20) 28.875% Verdana (11) 7.375% Verdana (2) 3.675% Verdana (0) 2.075% Verdana (0) 25.9 1999 municipal election 13 Jun 1999 62.7 53.275% Verdana 20 29.075% Verdana 11 6.475% Verdana 2 4.775% Verdana 0 3.275% Verdana 0 24.2 Voting preferences The table below lists raw, unweighted voting preferences. Polling firm/Commissioner Fieldwork date Sample size 33px|link=People's Party of the Valencian Community|PP 25px|link=Socialist Party of the Valencian Country|PSPV 27px|link=United Left of the Valencian Country|EUPV 27px|link=Valencian Union|UV 25px|link=Valencian Nationalist Bloc|Bloc–EV Lead 2003 municipal election 25 May 2003 34.9 21.1 5.0 2.5 1.8 31.5 13.8 CIS 22 Mar–28 Apr 2003 398 40.5 26.6 5.0 1.8 1.8 14.3 6.5 13.9 2000 general electionDoes not include non-resident citizens. 12 Mar 2000 38.7 20.4 5.2 2.5 1.4 28.9 18.3 1999 municipal election 13 Jun 1999 33.3 18.1 4.0 3.0 2.0 37.3 15.2 Results + ← Summary of the 25 May 2003 City Council of Valencia election results → center|320px Parties and alliances Popular vote Seats Votes % ±pp Total +/− People's Party (PP) 220,548 51.15 −2.10 19 −1 Socialist Party of the Valencian Country (PSPV–PSOE) 132,903 30.82 +1.87 12 +1 United Left–Valencian Left: Agreement (L'Entesa) 31,519 7.31 +0.94 2 ±0 Valencian Union (UV) 15,593 3.62 −1.12 0 ±0 Valencian Nationalist Bloc–Green Left (Bloc–EV) 11,201 2.60 −0.61 0 ±0 Cannabis Party for Legalisation and Normalisation (PCLyN) 4,177 0.97 New 0 ±0 The Greens of the Valencian Country (EV–LV) 3,369 0.78 New 0 ±0 Spain 2000 (E–2000) 819 0.19 New 0 ±0 Family and Life Party (PFyV) 732 0.17 New 0 ±0 Republican Left of the Valencian Country–Municipal Agreement (ERPV–AM) 692 0.16 New 0 ±0 Alternative Citizen Initiative (ICAL) 532 0.12 New 0 ±0 Regional Party of the Valencian Community (PRCV) 509 0.12 New 0 ±0 Democratic and Social Centre (CDS) 461 0.11 −0.03 0 ±0 Federal Republican Party (PRF) 441 0.10 −0.02 0 ±0 Internationalist Socialist Workers' Party (POSI) 354 0.08 New 0 ±0 Humanist Party (PH) 300 0.07 −0.02 0 ±0 Blank ballots 7,007 1.63 −0.22 Total 431,157 33 ±0 Valid votes 431,157 99.72 +0.08 Invalid votes 1,209 0.28 −0.08 Votes cast / turnout 432,366 68.50 +5.78 Abstentions 198,859 31.50 −5.78 Registered voters 631,225 SourcesLozano Carles https://www.historiaelectoral.com/mvalencia.html Eleccions municipals a València (des de 1979) ca Historia Electoral.com 4 November 2025http://www.valencia.es/ayuntamiento/webs/estadistica/Anuario/2007/Pdf/215.pdf Consultes electorals. 1. Eleccions municipals ca City Council of Valencia https://web.archive.org/web/20171206005841/http://www.valencia.es/ayuntamiento/webs/estadistica/Anuario/2007/Pdf/215.pdf 27 November 2025 6 December 2017 https://infoelectoral.interior.gob.es/es/elecciones-celebradas/resultados-electorales/ Elecciones celebradas. Resultados electorales es Ministry of the Interior 5 November 2025 5 August 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240805154842/https://infoelectoral.interior.gob.es/es/elecciones-celebradas/resultados-electorales/ dead Official State Gazette 158 (Supplement) 3 July 2003 es Acuerdo de 20 de junio de 2003, de la Junta Electoral Central, por el que se procede a la publicación del resumen de los resultados de las elecciones locales convocadas por Real Decreto 374/2003, de 31 de marzo, y celebradas el 25 de mayo, según los datos que figuran en las actas de proclamación remitidas por cada una de las Juntas Electorales de Zona https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2003/07/03/pdfs/C00001-00700.pdf 0212-033X 1–700 6 November 2025 Popular vote #ddd 550px 500px PP People's Party of the Valencian Community 51.15 PSPV–PSOE Socialist Party of the Valencian Country 30.82 L'Entesa Esquerra Unida–L'Entesa 7.31 UV Valencian Union 3.62 Bloc–EV Valencian Nationalist Bloc 2.60 Others #777777 2.87 Blank ballots #DDDDDD 1.63 Seats #ddd 550px 500px PP People's Party of the Valencian Community 57.58 PSPV–PSOE Socialist Party of the Valencian Country 36.36 L'Entesa Esquerra Unida–L'Entesa 6.06 Aftermath Government formation Investiture Ballot → 14 June 2003 Required majority → 17 out of 33 Rita Barberá (PP) • PP (19) 19 33 People's Party of the Valencian Community 125px 15 Rafael Rubio (PSPV) • PSPV (12) 12 33 Socialist Party of the Valencian Country 125px 15 Antonio Montalbán (L'Entesa) • L'Entesa (2) 2 33 Esquerra Unida–L'Entesa 125px 15 Abstentions/Blank ballots 0 33 gray 125px Absentees 0 33 black 125px SourcesAlberola Miquel 14 June 2003 https://elpais.com/diario/2003/06/14/espana/1055541606_850215.html Alcanzar el pleno empleo El País Valencia 9 November 2025 Notes References Opinion poll sources "p" Other Bibliography y Constitución Española Constitution 27 December 1978 version as of 28 August 1992 Official State Gazette BOE-A-1978-31229 es https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-1978-31229&tn=1&p=19920828 27 December 2016 Constitution 1978 y Ley 7/1985, de 2 de abril, Reguladora de las Bases del Régimen Local Law 7/1985 2 April 1985 version as of 11 March 2003 Official State Gazette BOE-A-1985-5392 es https://boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-1985-5392&tn=1&p=20030311 4 November 2025 LBRL 1985 y Ley Orgánica 5/1985, de 19 de junio, del Régimen Electoral General Organic Law 5/1985 19 June 1985 version as of 11 March 2003 Official State Gazette BOE-A-1985-11672 es https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-1985-11672&tn=1&p=20030311 4 November 2025 LOREG 1985 y Real Decreto 374/2003, de 31 de marzo, por el que se convocan elecciones locales y a las Asambleas de Ceuta y Melilla Royal Decree 374/2003 31 March 2003 Official State Gazette BOE-A-2003-6489 es https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2003-6489 10 November 2025 Royal Decree 374/2003 2003 Municipal election Valencia Category:Elections in Valencia Valencia