Pártok vagy választók?
Parties or Voters?

The Opportunity Structures of Female Candidates in Single Member Districts 1998–2010

Summary/Abstract: The article aims to explore the reasons of female political under-representation in Hungary in a yet under-researched area that is in candidate nomination in single member districts. The research question is whether it is party nomination strategies or the voters’ attitudes that explain women’s low presence. By utilising the supply and demand model as well as the personal vote conceptual background the analysis covers the four parliamentary elections between 1998 and 2000 concerning the two largest parties, MSzP and Fidesz. The demand for female candidates is very low in both parties and a gendered candidate nomination context prevails although the range and dynamics of discrimination are different in the two parties. Overall, female candidates appear in smaller proportions, in less advantageous nomination structures and among worse opportunity conditions than their male counterparts. In face of the parties’ gendered nomination strategies the presence of a modest personal gender vote remains an interesting phenomenon. Still, the electoral performance of the nominating party has the largest impact on the electoral results of individual candidates in SMDs. Further research is necessary to clarify the nature of supply constraints that prospective female candidates have to face.

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