1981 Elections & Political Transitions Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1981 Elections & Political Transitions Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 01 Jan Palau adopts constitution: Palau's Constitution was adopted by the Palau Constitutional Convention from January 28 to April 2, 1979, ratified during the Third Constitution Referendum on July 9, 1980, and entered into force on January 1, 1981.
- 23 Jan West Berlin Mayoral Election: On January 23, 1981, West Berlin held a mayoral election. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) candidate, Richard von Weizsäcker, was elected as the new mayor, succeeding the incumbent SPD mayor, Klaus Schütz. source: berlin.de
- 24 Jan François Mitterrand unanimously endorsed as Socialist Party candidate: On January 24, 1981, during the Créteil Congress, the French Socialist Party unanimously endorsed François Mitterrand as their candidate for the upcoming presidential election. Lionel Jospin was elected as the First Secretary of the party. The congress also ratified Mitterrand's '110 Propositions for France,' outlining the party's electoral program. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 17 Feb Reagan issues Executive Order 12291 on federal regulation: On February 17, 1981, President Ronald Reagan signed Executive Order 12291, titled "Federal Regulation," aiming to reduce regulatory burdens, enhance agency accountability, and provide presidential oversight of the regulatory process. The order mandated that agencies conduct cost-benefit analyses for major regulations and established the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to oversee this process. source: reaganlibrary.gov
- 11 Mar Pinochet inaugurated for extended military rule in Chile: On March 11, 1981, General Augusto Pinochet was inaugurated for an additional eight-year term as President of Chile, following the enactment of a new constitution. This constitution, approved in a 1980 referendum, extended his military rule until 1989, despite ongoing opposition and human rights concerns. source: upi.com
- 30 Mar Attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan: On March 30, 1981, U.S. President Ronald Reagan was shot in an assassination attempt by John Hinckley Jr. outside the Washington Hilton Hotel. Reagan was seriously injured but survived the attack, which also injured three others, including a Secret Service agent. The incident raised significant concerns about presidential security and led to changes in protective measures for public officials. source: archives.gov
- 02 Apr Belgian government collapses amid political crisis: On April 2, 1981, the Belgian government, led by Prime Minister Wilfried Martens, collapsed due to a political crisis over the issue of the country's linguistic divide. The coalition government, which included multiple parties, struggled to address tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flanders and the French-speaking Wallonia regions. This event marked a significant moment in Belgian politics, leading to a period of instability and subsequent elections. source: bbc.com
- 06 Apr Formation of Mark Eyskens' Belgian Government: On April 6, 1981, Mark Eyskens was sworn in as Prime Minister of Belgium, leading a coalition government comprising the Christian People's Party (CVP), the French-speaking Socialist Party (PS), and the Dutch-speaking Socialist Party (SP). This government succeeded the Martens IV cabinet and was the fifth since the 1978 legislative elections. Eyskens, previously the Minister of Finance, aimed to address Belgium's economic challenges, including the restructuring of the Walloon steel industry. However, the government faced internal conflicts, particularly over the financing of the Cockerill-Sambre steel combine, leading to its resignation on September 21, 1981. source: upi.com
- 09 Apr Bobby Sands elected as MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone: On April 9, 1981, imprisoned IRA member Bobby Sands was elected as the Member of Parliament for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Northern Ireland, while on hunger strike in the Maze Prison. Sands, representing the Anti H-Block/Armagh Political Prisoner campaign, secured 30,492 votes, defeating Ulster Unionist Party candidate Harry West, who received 29,046 votes. This election marked a significant moment during the 1981 Irish hunger strike, drawing international attention to the prisoners' demands for political status. Sands passed away on May 5, 1981, after 66 days on hunger strike. source: news.bbc.co.uk
- 26 Apr French presidential election first round: On April 26, 1981, France held the first round of its presidential election. Incumbent President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing and Socialist Party leader François Mitterrand emerged as the leading candidates, each securing approximately 28% and 26% of the vote, respectively. This set the stage for a runoff election on May 10, 1981, where Mitterrand ultimately defeated Giscard d'Estaing to become the first Socialist president of the Fifth Republic. source: washingtonpost.com
- 29 Apr South African general election results in 1981: In the 1981 South African general election held on April 29, the ruling National Party, led by P. W. Botha, secured 131 of the 165 directly elected seats in the House of Assembly. The Progressive Federal Party increased its representation to 26 seats, while the New Republic Party won 8 seats. The Herstigte Nasionale Party, a right-wing group, received 14.1% of the vote but did not win any seats due to the first-past-the-post system. source: washingtonpost.com
- 07 May Labour Party wins Greater London Council election: In the 1981 Greater London Council election held on May 7, the Labour Party secured 50 seats, gaining 22 seats from the previous election. The Conservative Party won 41 seats, a loss of 23 seats. The Liberal Party retained 1 seat. This was the final GLC election before its abolition in 1986. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 09 May Nepal holds first direct elections in 22 years: On May 9, 1981, Nepal conducted its first direct general elections in 22 years, electing members to the Rastriya Panchayat. The elections were held under the existing partyless Panchayat system, with all candidates running as independents. Major opposition parties, including the Nepali Congress and various communist factions, boycotted the elections, leading to a voter turnout of approximately 52.2%. source: upi.com
- 10 May Italian referendum on abortion law held on May 10, 1981: On May 10, 1981, Italy held a referendum to decide whether to repeal Law 194, which legalized abortion. The law was upheld, with approximately 68% of voters choosing to maintain it, reflecting a significant public support for reproductive rights in Italy. This referendum was a pivotal moment in the country's social and political landscape regarding women's rights. source: bbc.com
- 21 May Pierre Mauroy Appointed as Prime Minister of France: Following François Mitterrand's presidential election, Pierre Mauroy was appointed as Prime Minister of France, completing the Socialist Party's rise to power and setting the stage for significant political reforms.
- 12 Jun Djibouti Presidential Election: Hassan Gouled Aptidon was elected as the sole candidate in Djibouti's presidential election, effectively consolidating his political power in the newly independent nation.
- 16 Jun Ferdinand Marcos re-elected as Philippine President: On June 16, 1981, Ferdinand Marcos was re-elected as President of the Philippines, securing 88.02% of the vote in a presidential election and national referendum. Most opposition parties boycotted the election, protesting the 1978 Interim Batasang Pambansa elections, which they had condemned as fraudulent. Marcos was inaugurated for a third term on June 30, 1981. source: britannica.com
- 23 Jun French government includes Communist ministers for the first time since 1947: On June 23, 1981, French President François Mitterrand appointed four Communist ministers to his new government, marking the first time since 1947 that Communists participated in a French cabinet. The ministers were Charles Fiterman (Transport), Jack Ralite (Health), Marcel Rigoult (Vocational Training), and Anicet Le Pors (Civil Service). This decision followed the Socialist Party's overwhelming victory in the legislative elections, where they secured 269 seats out of 491 in the National Assembly. The inclusion of Communists was part of a broader strategy to unify the left and implement the 'Programme commun,' a reform program signed in 1972 by the Socialist Party, the French Communist Party, and the centrist Radical Movement of the Left. source: washingtonpost.com
- 30 Jun Israeli legislative election held on June 30, 1981: On June 30, 1981, Israel held its legislative elections, resulting in the Likud party, led by Menachem Begin, securing 48 seats, while the Alignment, led by Shimon Peres, obtained 47 seats. This narrow victory enabled Begin to form a coalition government, marking a significant political shift in Israel's history. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 24 Jul Mohammad Ali Rajai elected President of Iran: On July 24, 1981, Mohammad Ali Rajai was elected as the second president of Iran, succeeding Abolhassan Banisadr. Rajai, who had been serving as prime minister, won the election with approximately 90% of the votes, defeating three other candidates. He was officially declared the winner on July 27, 1981, and took office on August 2, 1981. Tragically, Rajai's presidency was short-lived; he was assassinated on August 30, 1981. source: britannica.com
- 01 Sep Central African Republic military coup: On September 1, 1981, General André Kolingba led a bloodless coup in the Central African Republic, deposing President David Dacko while Dacko was on an official visit to Libya. The following day, Kolingba established the Military Committee for National Recovery (CMRN), suspended the constitution, and limited political party activities. Kolingba's regime promised elections and anti-corruption measures but faced criticism for increasing corruption and delaying elections until 1987. source: csmonitor.com
- 03 Sep Uruguay's Transitional Presidential Appointment: Uruguay's Ruling Council appointed Gregorio Álvarez as transitional President, a position he would hold until 1985, during a period of significant political transition.
- 19 Sep Wran Government re-elected in New South Wales: On September 19, 1981, the Australian Labor Party, led by Neville Wran, secured a landslide victory in the New South Wales state election, increasing their majority to 69 out of 99 seats in the Legislative Assembly. This marked the second consecutive 'Wranslide,' following their previous win in 1978. The Liberal/National coalition, led by Bruce McDonald, suffered significant losses, with McDonald himself losing his seat to independent Ted Mack. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 27 Sep Denis Healey wins 1981 Labour Party deputy leadership election: On 27 September 1981, Denis Healey narrowly defeated Tony Benn in the Labour Party's deputy leadership election at the party conference. Healey secured 50.4% of the vote in the second ballot, while Benn received 49.6%. John Silkin was eliminated after the first ballot. Healey's victory was seen as a significant moment in the party's history, potentially averting further division and the rise of the Social Democratic Party. source: washingtonpost.com
- 02 Oct Ali Khamenei elected President of Iran: On October 2, 1981, following the assassination of President Mohammad-Ali Rajai, Ali Khamenei was elected as the third President of Iran. He secured 95% of the vote in the presidential election, marking a significant moment in Iran's post-revolutionary history. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 18 Oct Greece's first socialist government formed under PASOK: On October 18, 1981, Greece's Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), led by Andreas Papandreou, won a decisive victory in the parliamentary elections, securing 48.1% of the vote and 172 seats in the 300-member Hellenic Parliament. This marked the establishment of Greece's first socialist government since 1924. Papandreou's campaign focused on withdrawing Greece from NATO and the European Economic Community, though his policies evolved post-election. The victory was seen as a significant shift in Greece's political landscape. source: washingtonpost.com
- 21 Oct Andreas Papandreou becomes Greece's first socialist prime minister: On October 21, 1981, Andreas Papandreou was sworn in as Greece's first socialist prime minister, leading the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) to a decisive victory in the national elections. His administration introduced significant social reforms, including the establishment of the National Health System and expanded welfare programs, marking a transformative period in Greek politics. source: washingtonpost.com
- 27 Oct Andrew Young elected mayor of Atlanta: On October 27, 1981, former U.S. Ambassador Andrew Young was elected mayor of Atlanta, defeating state Representative Sidney Marcus in a runoff election. Young secured 56% of the vote, marking a significant milestone in Atlanta's political history. source: washingtonpost.com
- 28 Oct Ed McIntyre becomes Augusta's first Black mayor: On October 28, 1981, Ed McIntyre was elected as the first African American mayor of Augusta, Georgia. Prior to his mayoral tenure, McIntyre served as a Richmond County Commissioner from 1970 to 1978. His election marked a significant milestone in Augusta's political history, reflecting the city's evolving racial dynamics. source: washingtonpost.com
- 08 Nov Belgian general election held on November 8, 1981: Belgium held its general elections on November 8, 1981, marking the first time the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18. The Christian People's Party (CVP) emerged as the largest party, securing 43 of the 212 seats in the Chamber of Representatives, a significant decrease from their previous 57 seats. The Socialist Party (PS) and the Party for Freedom and Progress (PVV) also gained seats, while the Liberal Reformist Party (PRL) and the Flemish nationalist party VU made notable gains. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 15 Nov Abdus Sattar confirmed as President of Bangladesh: On November 15, 1981, Abdus Sattar was elected as the President of Bangladesh, succeeding the assassinated Ziaur Rahman. He secured approximately 66% of the vote, defeating his main opponent, Kamal Hossain of the Awami League. The election was marred by allegations of voter intimidation and electoral fraud. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 20 Nov Burundi adopts new constitution on November 20, 1981: On November 20, 1981, Burundi adopted a new constitution, establishing a one-party state with the Union for National Progress (UPRONA) as the sole legal party. The constitution was approved by a referendum on November 18, 1981, with 99.28% of voters in favor and a 94% turnout. The new constitution provided for the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, with the President holding significant powers, including the authority to dissolve the National Assembly. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 04 Dec Ciskei declared independence from South Africa: On December 4, 1981, Ciskei, a Bantustan designated for the Xhosa people, was declared independent by the South African government. This move followed a 1980 referendum where over 99% of voters supported independence. Despite the overwhelming vote, the international community did not recognize Ciskei's sovereignty, viewing the act as an extension of apartheid policies. The Ciskei Defence Force was established upon independence, and the Independence Medal was instituted to commemorate the event. source: upi.com
- 08 Dec Arthur Scargill elected president of the National Union of Mineworkers: On December 8, 1981, Arthur Scargill was elected president of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), securing approximately 70% of the vote. His election marked a significant shift in the union's leadership, as he succeeded Joe Gormley, who had served as president since 1971. Scargill's tenure was characterized by his militant approach to labor disputes, most notably leading the 1984–1985 miners' strike against the UK government. source: csmonitor.com
- 12 Dec Solidarity's Democratic Push in Poland: On December 12, 1981, the Polish independent trade union Solidarity held a meeting in Gdańsk to discuss lobbying for a referendum aimed at establishing multiparty elections in the Polish People's Republic. This initiative was part of Solidarity's broader efforts to promote democratic reforms within the country. However, the following day, December 13, the government declared martial law, leading to the arrest of Solidarity leaders and the suppression of the movement. source: en.wikipedia.org
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