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Understanding leader evaluations in European Parliament elections

Author

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  • Katjana Gattermann

    (Amsterdam School of Communication Research, Department of Communication Science, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Claes H. de Vreese

    (Amsterdam School of Communication Research, Department of Communication Science, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Leader evaluations are a crucial aspect in representative democracy. We analyse the patterns, antecedents and consequences of European Union leader evaluations against the backdrop of the 2019 European Parliament elections in ten countries. The article shows, firstly, that leader evaluations are unidimensional, both among voters with low and high knowledge as well as partisans and non-partisans. Secondly, among the antecedents of leader evaluations, European Union trust and performance evaluations are positively associated with leader evaluations, while European identity hardly plays a role compared to other factors. Lastly, the positive effect of leader evaluations on vote choice is conditional upon the individual leader and their party affiliation. Our results have important implications for expectations towards and evaluations of European Union leadership in the long term.

Suggested Citation

  • Katjana Gattermann & Claes H. de Vreese, 2022. "Understanding leader evaluations in European Parliament elections," European Union Politics, , vol. 23(1), pages 141-160, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:eeupol:v:23:y:2022:i:1:p:141-160
    DOI: 10.1177/14651165211046108
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dumitrescu, Delia & Gidengil, Elisabeth & Stolle, Dietlind, 2015. "Candidate Confidence and Electoral Appeal: An Experimental Study of the Effect of Nonverbal Confidence on Voter Evaluations," Political Science Research and Methods, Cambridge University Press, vol. 3(1), pages 43-52, January.
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    5. Katjana Gattermann & Claes De Vreese & Wouter van der Brug, 2016. "Evaluations of the Spitzenkandidaten: The Role of Information and News Exposure in Citizens’ Preference Formation," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 4(1), pages 37-54.
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    Cited by:

    1. Simon Richter & Sebastian Stier, 2022. "Learning about the unknown Spitzenkandidaten: The role of media exposure during the 2019 European Parliament elections," European Union Politics, , vol. 23(2), pages 309-329, June.
    2. Catherine E De Vries, 2022. "Analysing how crises shape mass and elite preferences and behaviour in the European Union," European Union Politics, , vol. 23(1), pages 161-168, March.
    3. Liran Harsgor & Neil Nevitte, 2022. "Do Leader Evaluations (De)Mobilize Voter Turnout? Lessons From Presidential Elections in the United States," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 10(4), pages 361-373.
    4. Wouter van der Brug & Katjana Gattermann & Claes H. de Vreese, 2022. "Electoral responses to the increased contestation over European integration. The European Elections of 2019 and beyond," European Union Politics, , vol. 23(1), pages 3-20, March.
    5. Thomas Däubler & Mihail Chiru & Silje SL Hermansen, 2022. "Introducing COMEPELDA: Comprehensive European Parliament electoral data covering rules, parties and candidates," European Union Politics, , vol. 23(2), pages 351-371, June.

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