A scandal effect? Local scandals and political trust

Scandals that hit political institutions and their actors are likely to contribute lowering trust. However, few studies examine the accuracy of such relationship at local level. This article aims field by assessing impact scandals on trust in government mayor context a federal state, Belgium. The research relies an original dataset includes selection municipalities were scandal not running-up 2018 elections. Our findings suggest existence ‘scandal effect’ voters’ mayor. First, appears significantly lower scandal. Second, effect individual level be reinforced perception trustworthiness politicians: more affect among voters who evaluate negatively politicians.