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IEB12-31_CurtoGrau.pdf (682 KB)

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Working paper

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2012

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cc-by-nc-nd, (c) Curto Grau et al., 2012
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/116345

Partisan targeting of inter-governmental transfers & state interference in local elections: evidence from Spain [WP-IEB]

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Abstract

We examine whether state-level incumbents discriminate in the allocation of transfers in favour of local governments controlled by co-partisans, and whether the electoral prospects of local incumbents improve when they are aligned with the State incumbent. Using a new database covering around 3,000 Spanish municipalities during the period 2000-07 and a Regression Discontinuity design, we document a very strong and robust effect: in close races, municipalities aligned with the regional government obtain on average 83% more per capita transfers and their incumbents gain 10% more votes at the local elections. We also show that the effect of alignment is stronger: (i) when regional and local elections are held on the same day, (ii) in regions with less competitive regional elections, and (ii) in regions with more budget resources.

Subject

Partits polítics, Administració local, Eleccions locals, Representació proporcional

Subject (English)

Polítical parties, Local government, Local elections, Proportional representation

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IEB (Institut d’Economia de Barcelona) – Working Papers

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CURTO GRAU, Marta, SOLÉ OLLÉ, Albert and SORRIBAS, Pilar. Partisan targeting of inter-governmental transfers & state interference in local elections: evidence from Spain [WP-IEB]. IEB Working Paper 2012/31. [consulted: 18 of August of 2026]. Available at: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/116345

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