The Dilemmas of Political (Mis-)Representation: Political “Cruising” in Romania
The Dilemmas of Political (Mis-)Representation: Political “Cruising” in Romania

Summary/Abstract: This article analyses the widespread phenomenon of party switching, labelled “political cruising” in Romania, that characterises that state’s electoral politics. First, it considers party switching to be a dimension of fragmentation (alongside fusions and divisions within the parties themselves), which helps more accurately gauge the level of party system institutionalisation in a given case. Second, it looks at why individuals change parties and why parties accommodate and embrace such switching to explain why the phenomenon has reached endemic levels in Romania. Finally, the author suggests that the pervasive political “cruising” driven by clientelism in Romania has resulted in a lack of public trust in political institutions and a decrease in electoral turnout.

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