Gert-Jan Put

The Selection of Candidates for Eligible Positions on PR Lists: The Belgian/Flemish Federal Elections 1999–2010

In list PR systems, the criteria applied in the candidate selection process can be analysed by contrasting the realistic and marginal candidates with the non-realistic candidates on the list. Realistic candidates stand a large chance, for marginal candidates this chance is more dependent on their personal result or the result of the list. This approach was applied to the Belgian Chamber elections in the period 1999–2010. A multilevel multinomial regression analysis shows that incumbents, mayors and party employees stand a significantly larger chance of being selected as a realistic or marginal candidate. No evidence was found of a specific gender bias. Once the above-mentioned variables are taken into account, previous campaign experience has a negative effect on the odds of being selected. For the marginal positions, parties particularly seek local office holders from larger municipalities.

Buying Local Votes: The Effect of Individual Campaign Spending Under a Semi-Open PR System in the Belgian Local Elections

Abstract This article analyses the effect of campaign spending on the individual result of party candidates in the Belgian local elections. An analysis of data concerning the 2012 local elections in the Flemish region shows that candidates who spend more in absolute terms or outspend their rivals (at the list and the municipality level) obtain a better result, even though the size of the effect is small. Contrary to what was found for national elections, there are indications that spending affects the odds of obtaining a seat in the local council. The spending effect tends to be weaker for candidates holding an executive office in the municipality.

Determinants of Geographical Representation on Candidate Lists in Flexible-List Systems: Lessons from the Belgian Case

Based on a dataset of candidates from 488 party lists for Belgian lower house elections in the period 1987–2010, this contribution analyses the effects of electoral system-related and party-related determinants on the level of geographical representation on party lists. The results show that decentralised candidate selection methods lead to higher levels of geographical representation on the list in its entirety. With regard to realistic slots, it is found that the percentage of female candidates is negatively associated with geographical representation. Additionally, in districts where the largest city is dominant in terms of population size, it is more difficult for selectorates to realise geographical balance.

How legislative gender quotas affect the gender gap in campaign spending: An analysis of the federal and regional elections in Belgium

ABSTRACT Research on the link between gender and campaign finance in proportional electoral systems suggests that the campaign expenses of female parliamentary candidates are significantly lower than those of male candidates. On the basis of data on 10,436 candidates for nine consecutive elections in Belgium (1991–2014), this article examines whether there is indeed a gender gap in campaign expenses, and in particular whether this coincides with the introduction of legislative quota laws in the Belgian flexible-list system. We distinguish between realistic candidates that run for election from winnable list positions and unrealistic candidates running from lower ranked positions. The results show that, among unrealistic candidates, the gender gap in campaign spending arose again after the introduction of more severe gender quotas. With regard to realistic list positions, however, the significant difference between male and female candidates in the most strict quota phase disappeared, indicating that female realistic candidates were able to catch up financially with their male counterparts. The Belgian experience could provide useful insights for other countries with flexible-list systems regarding the implementation of legislative gender quotas.