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More equal than different? Gender and legislative turnover in the European Parliament and west European legislatures

Author

Listed:
  • Athanassios Gouglas

    (School of Education and Social Sciences, 6413University of the West of Scotland, London, UK)

  • Paolo Marzi

    (Department of Social, Political and Cognitive Sciences, 9313University of Siena, Siena, Italy)

  • Bart Maddens

    (Public Governance Institute, 26657KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium)

  • Marleen Brans

    (Public Governance Institute, 26657KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium)

  • Luca Verzichelli

    (Department of Social, Political and Cognitive Sciences, 9313University of Siena, Siena, Italy)

Abstract

The article investigates incumbent exit rates of women and men parliamentarians in the national chambers and European Parliament delegations of eight West European countries after elections. Relying on original data, the article uses a multi-level model to analyse the fixed effects of gender, type of delegation, and the politico-institutional context on incumbent exit rates, while also assessing random effects produced at the country level. The study finds that incumbent exit rate of men is significantly higher than women's. However, this result is significant in the European Parliament, not national legislature delegations. Additionally, we find that men are pushed towards the exit by gender quotas and proportional electoral systems. Finally, our findings show different dynamics with respect to countries and types of delegation, thus expanding our understanding of the gendered implications of political careers and institutional frameworks across different parliamentary contexts in Western Europe.

Suggested Citation

  • Athanassios Gouglas & Paolo Marzi & Bart Maddens & Marleen Brans & Luca Verzichelli, 2025. "More equal than different? Gender and legislative turnover in the European Parliament and west European legislatures," European Union Politics, , vol. 26(1), pages 167-184, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:eeupol:v:26:y:2025:i:1:p:167-184
    DOI: 10.1177/14651165241299117
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Richard L. Fox & Jennifer L. Lawless, 2004. "Entering the Arena? Gender and the Decision to Run for Office," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 48(2), pages 264-280, April.
    2. Redmond, Paul & Regan, John, 2015. "Incumbency advantage in a proportional electoral system: A regression discontinuity analysis of Irish elections," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 244-256.
    3. Matland, Richard E. & Studlar, Donley T., 2004. "Determinants of Legislative Turnover: A Cross-National Analysis," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 34(1), pages 87-108, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jeremy Dodeigne & Silvia Erzeel & François Randour, 2025. "Putting the European Parliament's gender exceptionalism to the test: MEPs’ specialisation in masculine and feminine policy domains in parliamentary questions," European Union Politics, , vol. 26(1), pages 115-144, March.
    2. Silje Synnøve Lyder Hermansen, 2025. "Lingering bias: The effects of legislated gender quotas on representation quality in the European Parliament," European Union Politics, , vol. 26(1), pages 66-95, March.
    3. Jessica Fortin-Rittberger, 2025. "What is special about women in EU institutions?," European Union Politics, , vol. 26(1), pages 185-202, March.
    4. Anna-Lena Högenauer, 2025. "Can the European Parliament be a stepping stone into national politics? The gendered career paths of Maltese and Luxembourgish members of the European Parliament," European Union Politics, , vol. 26(1), pages 96-114, March.
    5. Elena Frech, 2025. "Gendered EUropean careers? Representation and the challenges in women's political careers," European Union Politics, , vol. 26(1), pages 3-22, March.
    6. Elena Frech, 2025. "Gendered exits: The role of parliamentarians, parties and voters in women's departure from the European Parliament," European Union Politics, , vol. 26(1), pages 145-166, March.

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