Financial resources play a pivotal role in election campaigns, as they constitute a crucial prerequisite for achieving political visibility. Consequently, they shape the trajectory of political careers by influencing processes of political recruitment, the consolidation of candidacies, and the risk of career stagnation or exit. International research demonstrates that higher levels of campaign spending and greater opportunities to attract donations are generally associated with improved electoral outcomes. In certain party and country contexts, gendered disparities in donation volumes and spending levels have been observed, pointing to differentiated opportunity structures. In the German context, however, it remains unclear how these dynamics manifest and to what extent they affect career prospects.
This paper therefore undertakes a systematic examination of gender-specific differences in election campaign financing in Germany. By analysing both the existence and the significance of such differences for candidates’ political careers, it seeks to advance our understanding of the nexus between financial resources and political competition.
Empirically, the study employs a mixed-methods design. A survey of German MPs on their campaign expenditures — including the amount and shares of personal funds, donations, and party resources — enables systematic gender comparisons. In addition, individual-level data from the GLES Candidate Study are used to contextualise structural conditions and individual factors shaping access to resources. Building on this, qualitative interviews with local party leaders provide insights into patterns of informal resource mobilisation and intraparty dynamics.
The analysis demonstrates how financial resources and gender interact in the context of electoral campaigns in Germany, revealing patterns of both equality and inequality. This approach contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the material foundations of political recruitment and careers.
