General elections were held in Belgium on 8 November 1981.^[1][2] Voter turnout was 94.5% in the Chamber election and 94.6% in the Senate election.^[3] Elections were also held for the nine provincial councils and for the Council of the German Cultural Community. They were the first elections after the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18. This contributed to the success of the socialist parties and the green parties (Agalev and Ecolo).

Quick Facts 212 seats in the Chamber of Representatives, First party ...

1981 Belgian general election

← 1978 8 November 1981 1985 →
212 seats in the Chamber of Representatives
First party Second party Third party   Leader Mark Eyskens André Cools Willy De Clercq Party CVP PS Open Vld Leader since Candidate for PM 1978 1977 Last election 57 seats, 26.14% 31 seats, 12.46% 22 seats, 10.36% Seats won 43 35 28 Seat change 14 4 6 Popular vote 1,165,239 733,137 776,871 Percentage 19.34% 12.17% 12.89% Swing 6.80% 0.29% 2.53%   Fourth party Fifth party Sixth party   PRL Leader Karel Van Miert Jean Gol Vic Anciaux Party sp.a PRL VU Leader since 1978 1979 1979 Last election 26 seats, 12.37% 15 seats, 4.64% 14 seats, 7.02% Seats won 26 24 20 Seat change 9 6 Popular vote 744,593 480,380 588,436 Percentage 12.36% 7.97% 9.77% Swing 0.01% 3.33% 2.75%
Chamber of Representatives results by constituency Senate results by constituency
Government before election M. Eyskens CVP-PSC-PS-SP Government after election Martens V CVP-PSC-PVV-PRL

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The traditionally largest Christian People's Party saw significant losses, with only 43 of the 212 seats in the Chamber of Representatives. The result was considered an election upset.^[2]