Koalitionsbildung in deutschen GroBstadten: Empirische Befunde aus Nordrhein-Westfalen

In: Zeitschrift für Politikwissenschaft: ZPol = Journal of political science, Band 24, Heft 1-2, S. 109-143

Abstract

There exist a number of studies on local coalition formation in Western European countries showing the application of coalition theories to the local level. However, such an empirical analysis is missing for the German case. Therefore, the article deals with the determinants of local coalition formation in Germany in general, and with the formation of coalitions in local councils in large German cities in the state ofNorth Rhine-Westphalia in particular, by applying 'classical' theories of coalition formation as well as institutional and contextual factors. The results show that local political actors are both office- and policy-seekers. Furthermore, the directly elected mayor plays a decisive role in local coalition formation processes. Adapted from the source document.