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The impact of immigration on election outcomes in Danish municipalities

Author

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  • Gerdes, Christer

    (Stockholm University Linnaeus Center for Integration Studies - SULCIS)

  • Wadensjö, Eskil

    (Stockholm University Linnaeus Center for Integration Studies - SULCIS)

Abstract

In this paper we study the effects on support for different political parties following an increase in the immigrant share in Danish municipalities during a period marked by a substantial influx of refugees. The two anti-immigration parties in the political landscape of Denmark are among those that win votes as a result of this influx, but so also does a pro-immigration party on the left. Controlling for a number of social-economic aspects, our results thus point to some discontent with immigration; however, they do not support predictions of a general decline for political parties that are in favour of a generous welfare state, as proposed by some scholars.

Suggested Citation

  • Gerdes, Christer & Wadensjö, Eskil, 2010. "The impact of immigration on election outcomes in Danish municipalities," SULCIS Working Papers 2010:3, Stockholm University, Linnaeus Center for Integration Studies - SULCIS.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:sulcis:2010_003
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    immigration; immigrants; elections; racism; xenophobia;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers

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