New research reveals voters infer ideological alignment between parties based on elite interactions, not policy statements. Analyzing media reports across 13 Western democracies (2001-2014), we demonstrate that while voters expect coalition partners to agree ideologically regardless of actual policy tones or formal coalitions, this perception strengthens near national elections. 🔍

Key Findings:

• Voters associate perceived agreement with increased elite cooperation.

• The "cooperation effect" is strongest during election cycles. ⏰

Implications: These findings suggest parties must carefully manage their public image and strategic communication about ideological stances to influence voter perceptions, ultimately impacting descriptive representation theories across democracies. 🔍