state tier. This e ffect only materializes in the election year which suggests that mayors under the new electoral rule put … more e ffort into grant applications for highly visible infrastructure projects in order to increase their re-election …

The political business cycle theories describe that election-motivated politicians manipulate economic policy …-making. Election cycles occur in many fiscal variables, for example tax rates. I examine whether electoral motives influence communal … municipalities from seven states over the period 1992-2006. The results show that municipalities increase communal fees in election …

local councils appoint the head of government. We examine election outcomes around the quorum, where the form of government …