Local Elections and Parliamentary Political Representation. Trampoline for Men and Obstacle for Women?

• Main Author: OANA BĂLUȚĂ
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Facultatea de Stiinte Politice, SNSPA 2017-12-01
• Series: Sfera Politicii
• Subjects: local elections; parliamentary elections; women; political recrutiment; parliamentary elections; women; political recrutiment
• Online Access: http://www.sferapoliticii.ro/sfera/193-194/art02-Baluta.php

Local elections might be perceived as gender neutral when it comes to women’s descriptive representation in the Parliament. However, according to quantitative and qualitative data from the 2016 elections, I argue that local elections play a role in the larger economy of gender and legislative elections. Together with other factors, local elections shape a more favorable context for men than for women. Local elections are important for nominating candidates and ranking them. Local elections are a filter for the legislative electoral lists, represent a pipeline for legislative recruitment and they also boost control over the party list. From a gender perspective neither of the three is favorable to women.