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The stabilizing effect of elected women and political seniority

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  • Acconcia, Antonio
  • Ronza, Carla

Abstract

An electoral reform introduced in Italy in 2012 to enhance women’s political representation increased the share of women in the city councils of the affected municipalities. We find that this rise was largely driven by the inflow of female newcomers, alongside a mainly corresponding reduction in male newcomers. These changes in council composition led to a substantial decline in early government termination episodes triggered by councillor decisions. We further show that female newcomers exhibit the lowest reelection rate despite the reform and thus bear the highest risk of losing the benefits of political office when their term ends.

Suggested Citation

  • Acconcia, Antonio & Ronza, Carla, 2026. "The stabilizing effect of elected women and political seniority," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:poleco:v:93:y:2026:i:c:s0176268026000157
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2026.102820
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • K16 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Election Law

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