Explaining MPs’ constituency service in multilevel systems: the case of Belgium

Political representation – the core of modern democracies – essentiallyrefers to a relationship between a representative and those represented by him or her.Therefore, the linkage between citizens and political decision makers is one of the mostimportant topics in the study of democratic political systems. However, the literature onparliamentary systems has concentrated on what MPs do inside parliament on the onehand and on the impact of the electoral system on MPs’ behavior on the other hand. Thisaim of this article is twofold. First, it provides a more comprehensive description of theactivities of Belgian MPs on the basis of a mixed-method approach, using data from asurvey, interviews as well as field observations. Second, it addresses four other factorsthat could have an influence on MPs relations to the district, besides the electoralsystem: the level at which they are elected (regional vs. federal), the accumulation ofmandates, the distinction between older and newer parties, and MPs seniority.SCOPUS: ar.j