Personalization of the electoral system and political parties: lessons from Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina

This study investigates the correlation between the personalization of electoral systems and the personalization of political parties, analysing its effects on intra-party democracy in Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Using a ‘most similar system design,’ the research examines how electoral rules, particularly preferential voting and candidate selection procedures, shape party dynamics in post-conflict societies. The findings highlight that while a robust preferential voting system can enhance the role of MPs in intra-party decision-making, its impact is often constrained by centralized candidate selection processes controlled by party leadership. The analysis also reveals that the degree of electoral system personalization influences party cohesion and the financing of personal campaigns. By applying empirical measures such as the Preferential Vote Impact Index (PVI) and party statutes analysis, this article contributes to understanding how electoral system design affects party democratization in transitional democracies.