Accountable to whom? How strong parties subvert local democratic institutions

How do politicians in emerging democracies subvert institutional reforms that are designed to improve accountability? Looking at patron-client relations within political parties, I present a strategy, partisan accountability, by which strong parties undermine accountability citizens. At the national level, build patronage networks. Central party organizations use their power and resources machines extend local level. Leveraging these networks, co-opt into being accountable central interests over own constituents. employ original subnational data from Bosnia Herzegovina on organization mayoral recalls 2005 2015. The analysis shows initiate install loyal, co-partisan mayors rather than sanction for poor policy performance. This pattern demonstrates strategy competitive stifle democratization consolidate power.