An empirical analysis of municipal choice in Portugal

In assessing specific combinations of supply and demand influences on local public choice, four policy issues with differing ideological attributes were compared over a period of two electoral terms in Portuguese municipalities. Results confirmed the significance of ideology and the non-neutrality of the electoral agenda in shaping specific expenditure issues (culture and urban waste management). There was also some evidence demonstrating the political influence of interest groups, especially in reference to less visible issues. The findings draw attention to the possibility of opportunistic cycles and for political discrimination in central government investment allocation among municipalities.