“Complex” Electoral Systems, Complex Pre-Electoral Coordination. A French-Italian Comparison

Studies examining the formation of pre-electoral coalitions under “complex” electoral systems (such as run-off systems, mixed-member systems, and majority bonus systems, among others) are still in their infancy, despite the fact that a growing number of countries have adopted electoral rules of this kind. Our research contributes to filling this gap. By comparing the examples of France and Italy, we aim to explain how complex electoral rules constrain political parties and how parties play under them, i.e. how they adapt their coordination strategies to different electoral arrangements. In addition, we show that coordination and competition strategies cannot be explained by electoral rules alone. Other features, such as institutional, short-term, and historical features may affect both pre-electoral coalition-building and the composition of coalitions.