Las Palmas (Congress of Deputies constituency)

Las Palmas is one of the 59 constituencies (Spanish: circunscripciones) represented in the Congress of Deputies, the lower house of the Spanish Parliament. It elects seven deputies using the D'Hondt method and a closed-list proportional representation system.

Geography and Scope:

The constituency covers the province of Las Palmas, which includes the islands of Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote, along with smaller islands. It is located within the autonomous community of the Canary Islands.

Electoral System:

As with all Spanish Congress of Deputies constituencies, Las Palmas elects its representatives through closed lists. Voters cast their ballots for a party list, and seats are allocated proportionally based on the number of votes received by each list. The D'Hondt method is used for seat allocation, favoring larger parties. The electoral threshold is 3% of valid votes cast within the constituency.

Historical Representation:

The number of deputies allocated to Las Palmas can vary slightly from election to election, depending on the total population of the province relative to the overall population of Spain. Generally, it has elected around seven deputies. Historically, the Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) and the People's Party (PP) have been the dominant forces in the constituency, although smaller parties such as the Canary Coalition (CC) and, more recently, parties such as Podemos and Vox have also gained representation. The specific results of each election vary based on national and regional political trends.

Socio-Political Context:

Las Palmas's electoral behavior is influenced by factors specific to the Canary Islands, including its unique economic conditions (reliance on tourism), its geographical isolation, and its history of regionalist and nationalist sentiment. The constituency often reflects a balance between national political trends and local concerns.