Re-(s)election and Retirement

Abstract

This coherent panel investigates the link between the performance of members of parliament in the legislative assembly and their individual career. Since the beginning of their term in parliament, most MPs seek to be re-selected by their party or their selectorate and to be re-elected by their voters. All four papers in this panel analyse the impact of legislative performance of MPs on these re-selection and re-election prospects. Different types of behaviour of MPs are investigated as for instance their performance in terms of legislative production, of questions and interpellations, their attendance to committee meetings, their speeches in plenary and committee meetings, or their leadership positions as committee chair or PPG leader. Analysed cases empirically study the careers and performance of MPs in Germany, the Netherlands and members of the European parliament.