A Comparative Analysis of Selection Criteria of Candidates in Belgium

The literature on candidate selection has focussed extensively the degree of inclusiveness and decentralization selectorate, as part debate intra-party democracy. However, much less attention been paid to openness candidacies, or criteria within parties. Yet parties have a lot leeway in how they design internally. Which guidelines do follow when making crucial choice which candidates select for elections? This paper investigates from two perspectives: formal rules set by that restrict candidate’s pool (informal) preferences selectors shape who gets selected. We aim first at contrasting party institutionalization parties’ so, we shed light whether formalise their candidacy requirements processes same extent other activities. Second, role selectorates, selectorate’s characteristics matter kind criteria, be intended maximizing offices, votes policies. Drawing statutes coded Political Party Database (PPDB) 23 in-depth interviews with selectors, study three francophone Belgian differ both terms selectorate final say centralisation, institutionalisation: green (Ecolo), socialist (PS), liberal (MR). Our comparative analysis parties, provides new insights into secret garden politics highlights particular major impact centralization.