Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 236-256 |
| Number of pages | 21 |
| Journal | East European Politics |
| Volume | 35 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 3 Apr 2019 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Abstract
This article assesses the effects of common features in the indirect election of presidents in parliamentary republics. In particular, it examines the influence of majority requirements, selectorate composition and uncertainty on party strategies, using Estonia (1996–2016) as a crucial case for analysis. The analysis demonstrates that the lack of a plurality run-off effectively eliminated incentives for inter-party cooperation and strategic voting. It furthermore shows that shifts in the partisan composition and control of the selectorate from parliament to electoral college provided considerable opportunities for agenda manipulation. Subsequently, results only rarely reflected the parliamentary balance of power. Last, although overall indicators suggest greater congruence between parliament and electoral college over time, this proliferated rather than reduced parties’ uncertainty over the electoral outcome as non-parliamentary electors voted based on local interests and acted independently from national party leaders.
Keywords
- Electoral college, Estonia, parliament, party strategy, presidential elections
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Sciences(all)
- Geography, Planning and Development
- Social Sciences(all)
- Development
- Social Sciences(all)
- Political Science and International Relations
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In: East European Politics, Vol. 35, No. 2, 03.04.2019, p. 236-256.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The effects of majority requirements, selectorate composition and uncertainty in indirect presidential elections
T2 - The case of Estonia
AU - Köker, Philipp
PY - 2019/4/3
Y1 - 2019/4/3
N2 - This article assesses the effects of common features in the indirect election of presidents in parliamentary republics. In particular, it examines the influence of majority requirements, selectorate composition and uncertainty on party strategies, using Estonia (1996–2016) as a crucial case for analysis. The analysis demonstrates that the lack of a plurality run-off effectively eliminated incentives for inter-party cooperation and strategic voting. It furthermore shows that shifts in the partisan composition and control of the selectorate from parliament to electoral college provided considerable opportunities for agenda manipulation. Subsequently, results only rarely reflected the parliamentary balance of power. Last, although overall indicators suggest greater congruence between parliament and electoral college over time, this proliferated rather than reduced parties’ uncertainty over the electoral outcome as non-parliamentary electors voted based on local interests and acted independently from national party leaders.
AB - This article assesses the effects of common features in the indirect election of presidents in parliamentary republics. In particular, it examines the influence of majority requirements, selectorate composition and uncertainty on party strategies, using Estonia (1996–2016) as a crucial case for analysis. The analysis demonstrates that the lack of a plurality run-off effectively eliminated incentives for inter-party cooperation and strategic voting. It furthermore shows that shifts in the partisan composition and control of the selectorate from parliament to electoral college provided considerable opportunities for agenda manipulation. Subsequently, results only rarely reflected the parliamentary balance of power. Last, although overall indicators suggest greater congruence between parliament and electoral college over time, this proliferated rather than reduced parties’ uncertainty over the electoral outcome as non-parliamentary electors voted based on local interests and acted independently from national party leaders.
KW - Electoral college
KW - Estonia
KW - parliament
KW - party strategy
KW - presidential elections
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85064761855&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.15488/4706
DO - 10.15488/4706
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85064761855
VL - 35
SP - 236
EP - 256
JO - East European Politics
JF - East European Politics
SN - 2159-9165
IS - 2
ER -