Out with the Old, In with the Young: How Legislative Turnover Improves the Descriptive Representation of Youth in Latvia
摘要
This chapter examines the relationship between legislative turnover and youth representation in Latvia, where high electoral volatility and a fragmented party system create both opportunities and challenges for young politicians. Using official election data from the Central Electoral Committee and Saeima websites, the analysis follows three key steps. First, it assesses the correlation between legislative turnover and the Age Representation Index (ARI) for MPs aged 40 and under, revealing a strong positive relationship. Second, descriptive statistics compare the success of new and established parties in electing young MPs, highlighting the role of new parties in bringing younger candidates into parliament. Finally, a two-sample t-test examines candidate placement strategies, showing that, on average, new parties position younger candidates higher on their lists than established parties, though the effect size is small. While turnover facilitates the entrance of younger politicians, more sustainable mechanisms are needed to ensure long-term generational renewal in politics.