Many governments operate consumer debt relief programs, often timed to match the election cycle, but their political … effects are not well understood. We ask if debt relief can influence elections in democracies. Our motivating exercise is the … large debt relief program enacted in the Republic of Georgia that, similar to USA, affected every sixth voter. We estimate …

competing in a binary election may purchase votes in a sequential bidding game via up-front binding payments and/or campaign … promises (platforms) that are contingent upon the outcome of the election. We analyze the role of the parties’ budget …

compete in a binary election and may purchase votes in a sequential bidding game via up-front binding payments and/or campaign … promises (platforms) that are contingent upon the outcome of the elec-tion. We analyze the role of the parties.and voters …