This paper explores how parties entering coalition governments influence voter views. Voter perceptions change only if the party joins an unexpected coalition. We test this claim using three methods: cross-country analysis in five European countries, individual panel data, and quasi-experimental testing. Our findings show that parties' reputation shifts when they enter coalitions not aligned with voters' expectations.

Data & Methods:

• Cross-sectional country-level data from 5 coalition-prone European nations

• Individual survey responses tracked over time (panel data)

• Quasi-natural experiment approach to isolate effects

Key Findings:

• Voters update their perceptions of a party's ideology when the party joins an unexpected coalition

• The effect depends critically on whether alternative coalitions were available or foreseeable

• These findings challenge simplified views about political representation and voting behavior

Why This Matters:

These results shed new light on voter information processing in multiparty systems. They highlight that parties can strategically manage their public image by carefully choosing coalition partners, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of reputation politics.