Candidate centred campaigning in a party centred context: The case of Belgium. (September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: De Winter, Lieven; Baudewyns, Pierre
• Is Part Of: Electoral studies. Volume 39(2015:Sep.)
• Page Start: 295
• Page End: 305
• Publication Date: 2015-09
• Subjects: Constituency campaigns -- Personal vote seeking -- Preference voting -- Political parties -- Electoral systems -- Belgium; Elections -- Periodicals; Voting -- Periodicals; 324.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electstud.2014.04.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0261-3794

Abstract

Abstract: Candidates to the Belgian Chamber of Representatives vary considerably with regard to the extent to which they run personalized campaigns. However, very few candidates get elected on the basis of preference votes. In light of this weak link between preference voting and the actual allocation of mandates, this paper asks about why Belgian candidates run personalized campaigns at all. Our findings point to the impact of the following factors in this regard: district magnitude, party magnitude, electoral safety, and seniority with regard to party organizational offices. Furthermore, our findings also demonstrate considerable differences between Belgian parties with regard to the extent to which their candidates run personalized campaigns. Highlights: Relation between personalisation of campaigns and district magnitude is curvilinear. Campaign personalisation is strongly constrained by parties' organizational culture. Party and elected office seniority stimulates personalization of campaigns. Candidates on safe place run a more personalized election campaign.