TY - JOUR

T1 - Prime Ministerial Careers in the European Union

T2 - Does gender make a difference?

AU - Müller-Rommel, Ferdinand

AU - Vercesi, Michelangelo

PY - 2017/4/3

Y1 - 2017/4/3

N2 - This article presents empirical findings on two questions: what are the ‘political stepping stones’ on the way to the prime ministerial post? Are there any differences between female and male prime ministers on their way to the chief executive? These questions are primarily linked to the literature on women’s recruitment in top political offices. The data for this analysis stem from unique biographical records of 76 prime ministers in those 10 member states of the European Union where women have been in prime ministerial positions from 1979 to 2015. Consistent with theoretical expectations, the empirical findings show that there is indeed a gender difference in the pathways to the prime ministerial post. Female prime ministers are predominantly recruited in centre-right parties. They have more political experience in parliament and cabinet than their male counterparts, but a shorter duration in office once becoming prime minister.

AB - This article presents empirical findings on two questions: what are the ‘political stepping stones’ on the way to the prime ministerial post? Are there any differences between female and male prime ministers on their way to the chief executive? These questions are primarily linked to the literature on women’s recruitment in top political offices. The data for this analysis stem from unique biographical records of 76 prime ministers in those 10 member states of the European Union where women have been in prime ministerial positions from 1979 to 2015. Consistent with theoretical expectations, the empirical findings show that there is indeed a gender difference in the pathways to the prime ministerial post. Female prime ministers are predominantly recruited in centre-right parties. They have more political experience in parliament and cabinet than their male counterparts, but a shorter duration in office once becoming prime minister.

KW - Gender

KW - political careers

KW - political professionalization

KW - prime minister

KW - representation

KW - women and politics

KW - Politics

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84984923486&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1080/23745118.2016.1225655

DO - 10.1080/23745118.2016.1225655

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:84984923486

VL - 18

SP - 245

EP - 262

JO - European Politics and Society

JF - European Politics and Society

SN - 2374-5118

IS - 2

ER -