Coalitions in Presidential Systems from the Perspective of Partners' Members

Research on coalition formation in presidential systems often focuses on government survivability, policy-making efficiency, and the dynamics between the formateur and coalition partners. However, little attention has been given to how satisfied congresspeople in the president’s party and those in coalition parties are with their coalition partners, as well as those belonging to independent and opposition parties are with or without the chance of joining the government. This paper examines the extent to which politicians perceive and evaluate each other’s parties within coalitions. Drawing on elite surveys conducted with congresspeople in South American countries, I explore the relationship between party ideology, individual ideology obtained from speech analyses, and the salience of policy agendas, and their influence on the perception of congresspeople on joining or not the government. By analyzing these factors, this paper provides insights into the dynamics of coalition cohesion and the broader inter-party relationships that shape coalition functioning and stability in presidential systems.