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Effects of council size under a majority bonus: Evidence from French municipalities

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  • Benoît Le Maux

    (CREM - Centre de recherche en économie et management - UNICAEN - Université de Caen Normandie - NU - Normandie Université - UR - Université de Rennes - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Mara Vidali

    (CREM - Centre de recherche en économie et management - UNICAEN - Université de Caen Normandie - NU - Normandie Université - UR - Université de Rennes - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Pauline Mille

    (CREM - Centre de recherche en économie et management - UNICAEN - Université de Caen Normandie - NU - Normandie Université - UR - Université de Rennes - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

This study examines the impact of council size on local representation and governance using data from over 7000 French municipalities, where proportional voting with a majority bonus applies. We exploit the discontinuities created by population thresholds defining the number of seats. Our findings show that assembly size does not significantly affect the number of parties running or winning seats, voter turnout, or public spending. However, larger assemblies affect the distribution of seats, reducing disproportionality and increasing party fragmentation. We demonstrate that these effects are driven by the majority bonus in the electoral system.

Suggested Citation

  • Benoît Le Maux & Mara Vidali & Pauline Mille, 2026. "Effects of council size under a majority bonus: Evidence from French municipalities," Post-Print hal-05554361, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05554361
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2026.102817
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