Changes in the electoral behaviour of non-statewide parties: The case of CiU and its derived organizations in Catalonia (1995–2021)

Galder Sierra; Jon Azkune; Eki Etxebarria

doi:10.2478/acpo-2026-0002

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Changes in the electoral behaviour of non-statewide parties: The case of CiU and its derived organizations in Catalonia (1995–2021)

Acta Politologica

Volume 18 (2026): Issue 1 (April 2026)

By: Galder Sierra , Jon Azkune and Eki Etxebarria

Open Access

|Apr 2026

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the changes in the electoral behaviour of CiU voters and its derived organizations, as paradigmatic examples of non-statewide parties. To this end, it will take as a reference the two dimensions that have traditionally been considered decisive when voting in territories where the centre-periphery cleavage has been significant: the (Catalan) nationalist dimension and the ideological dimension (left-right axis). Specifically, three aspects will be analysed: (a) the evolution of the position of Catalan parties in each of these two dimensions, paying special attention to the electorate of CiU and its successors; (b) the importance of each axis in the vote of this electorate over time; and (c) the evolution of its specific vote components. The results will show how the importance of each of the dimensions mentioned in this electoral space has evolved during the period 1995–2010, as well as the relevance of other factors (contextual, emotional, etc.) beyond these classic dimensions when deciding how to vote.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/acpo-2026-0002 | Journal eISSN: 1803-8220 | Journal ISSN: 1804-1302

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Language: English

Page range: 26 - 42

Submitted on: Dec 11, 2025

Accepted on: Jan 14, 2026

Published on: Apr 21, 2026

Published by: Charles University, Faculty of Social Sciences

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 2 issues per year

Keywords:

Non-statewide parties,

Related subjects:

History,

Topics in history,

Economic history,

Philosophy,

Political philosophy and social philosophy,

Political science, other

© 2026 Galder Sierra, Jon Azkune, Eki Etxebarria, published by Charles University, Faculty of Social Sciences
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Volume 18 (2026): Issue 1 (April 2026)