When the Springs Run Dry: Electoral Consequences of a German Spending Reform

• In Event: Economic Shocks & Electoral Accountability

Brief Overview

We examine the 1996/97 German Kurreform, which triggered a highly localized economic shock in spa towns. Municipal election data show enduring effects: initial punishment of incumbents and, by 2025, reduced turnout and stronger populist voting.

Authors

• Michael Bayerlein, Charite University hospital

• Lukas Haffert, Harvard University

• Sven Hegewald, ETH Zurich

• Dominik Schraff, Aalborg University