Politics & Governance / Domestic Politics / Democracy & Elections
Why the Most Voted Party Wins Even Without a Majority (Evidence from Spain)
In a surprising twist to political bargaining, a new study by Thomas Fujiwara and Carlos Sanz reveals that social norms, not just seat counts, determine who forms a government. Analyzing Spanish municipal elections, they found that the party with the most votes, even with the same seats as rivals, wins the mayor's office 20% more often. This norm is so powerful it overrides ideological alliances—like left-wing parties letting right-wing opponents govern—because voters punish rule-breakers in future elections. Discover the shocking power of the 'first-place' label and how it reshapes democracy across Europe.
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