Pre-Electoral Coalitions: Insights into the Creation of Political Parties

Rafael Hortala-Vallve, Jaakko Meriläinen () and Janne Tukiainen
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Rafael Hortala-Vallve: Department of Government, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, United Kingdom.

No 143, Discussion Papers from Aboa Centre for Economics

Abstract: We evaluate the causes and consequences of pre-electoral coalitions (PECs). In Finland, local elections use a proportional representation system with open lists, and parties may form joint lists. We document that PECs are more common between parties of equal size and similar ideology, and when elections are more disproportional or involve more parties. Using both difference-in-diffeFinnish elections use an open-list proportional representation system, and parties may form pre-electoral coalitions (PECs) in the form of joint lists. We document that PECs are more common between parties of equal size and similar ideology, and when elections are more disproportional or involve more parties. Using difference-in-differences and density discontinuity designs, we illustrate that voters punish coalescing parties and target personal votes strategically within the coalitions, and that PECs are formed with the particular purpose of influencing the distribution of power. They increase small parties' chances of acquiring leadership positions, lead to more dispersed seat distributions, and sometimes prevent absolute majorities. We discuss the implications of these findings for the boundaries of political parties.

Keywords: bargaining power; local elections; multi - party systems; open - list PR system; pre - electoral coalitions; strategic voting (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C23 D23 D72 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 66
Date: 2021-02
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cdm and nep-pol
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