Abstract

In the regional elections of 2000 the expression of preference votes in favour of specific candidates experienced a considerable and generalised increase. A great amount of voters, especially in Southern Italy, voted for candidates rather than parties or coalitions. This helped determine the success of some "post-Christian Democrat" and "post-Socialist" lists, which could count on candidates already equipped with know how for acquiring preference votes and a vast network of direct relationships with voters and vote collectors. The preference vote mechanism also contributed to increasing internal competition within parties, thus further helping parties with competitive candidates. The presence of many "personal parties" also contributed to limiting abstentionism.