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Forerunners vs. latecomers—institutional competition in the German federalism during the COVID crisis

Author

Listed:
  • Lukas Breide

    (Ilmenau University of Technology)

  • Oliver Budzinski

    (Ilmenau University of Technology)

  • Thomas Grebel

    (Ilmenau University of Technology)

  • Juliane Mendelsohn

    (Ilmenau University of Technology)

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, political competition among the premiers of Germany’s 16 federal states intensified, with leaders striving to position themselves as proactive forerunners in managing the crisis. This paper examines the timing and determination of these state leaders in announcing, legislating, and enforcing COVID-19 policies, with attention to regional contexts and specific determinants influencing their actions. Utilizing multiple distinct databases, we conduct a survival analysis to assess each state’s political response in relative terms. Our findings reveal that state leaders who were early advocates in public announcements and discourse did not necessarily lead in formal legislation or enforcement of COVID-19 measures. This study provides a nuanced view of political competition in crisis governance, highlighting the divergence between political rhetoric and tangible policy action across Germany’s federal landscape.

Suggested Citation

  • Lukas Breide & Oliver Budzinski & Thomas Grebel & Juliane Mendelsohn, 2025. "Forerunners vs. latecomers—institutional competition in the German federalism during the COVID crisis," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 59(1), pages 101-132, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:ejlwec:v:59:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s10657-025-09832-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10657-025-09832-4
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Political competition; Institutions; COVID; Survival analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D7 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making
    • H7 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations
    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • H12 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Crisis Management
    • R5 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis

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