Electoral volatility and consolidation of “new democracies” in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe

The article examines the dynamics of electoral volatility in the post-communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) in the early 21st century. Based on the statistical data of elections and the results of sociological researches the article focuses on the influence of economic and politico-cultural factors upon the electoral mobility of population. It is noted that the effect of economic situation on the changing party preferences of voters was lessened as the process of adaption of people to market economy progressed. It is believed that the society political culture in post-communist countries of CEE marked by a low-level party identification of citizens can be considered a more stable factor influencing the dynamics of electoral volatility. Weak party adherence induces voters who are disappointed by current government policy to change party preferencesrather quickly whatin itsturn contributesto maintenance of the high-level electoral volatility. In those circumstances parties are formed and they act purely on the current political situation rather than the existing social and group demands. In case of coming into power party leaders do not consider themselves bound to fulfill the promises which they ladled out during the election campaign, and as a result that can be the cause of a new rise in social disappointment The author concludes that the high level of electoral volatility in the post-communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe considerably weakens the mechanism of responsible party management and so impedes consolidation of new democracies

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