The influence of elections and electoral systems on the nationalization and/or denationalization of regional political process: theorization and empirical manifestations on the example of Poland and Hungary

Abstract

The article theorizes and offers empirical manifestations of the impact of elections and electoral systems on the nationalization and/or denationalization of regional political process, in particular on the example of Poland and Hungary. It is argued that regional elections in these countries are mostly nationalized, albeit on the basis of different instruments.At the same time, it is noted that parties in Poland and Hungary mostly use national schemes to promote their party brands and make adjustments into regional electoral campaigns, mainly under the influence of significant regional peculiarities. However, the most important thing is that the type and features of electoral systems used in a country at both regional and national level shave a significant or decisive influence on the phenomenon of nationalization of regional political process. On the other hand, it is found that the process of regionalization of regional political process in Poland and Hungary is insignificant and is characterized only by personification and departyzation of regional political space and process. Accordingly, regional elections in the analyzed countries are regarded and positioned as second-tier elections, both in importance and consequences.