Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 20/07/2026All Tomorrow's Parties: What Central and Eastern Europe Teaches Us About Party Politics If you've got spare screentime now that the World Cup is over, the recording of my UCL inaugural lecture is now available online: blogs.ucl.ac.uk/ssees/2026/0... 081
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 14/05/2026CEE often gets filed as exceptional or specific but it has just as much to contribute to the general study of politics as the more familiar Western cases. 020
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 14/05/2026I argued that, viewed from the region, three key concepts in party research (new parties, electoral volatility and populist parties) gain a sharper focus, enhancing our understanding of party politics beyond its borders. 201
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 14/05/2026It was a real privilege to deliver my UCL inaugural lecture last night. Thank you to everyone who came, and to those who sent kind messages. A recording will be online soon. 160
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 08/05/2026Even if many voters don't care, for those who do, the psychological effect is muddied by both national and district level uncertainty. Tactical voting has become genuinely difficult in many places. 010
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 07/05/2026Local election day in London. Let's see how the encounter between the first-past-the-post system (in multi-member wards) and a volatile five-party system goes. 010
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 14/04/2026On Wed 13 May at 6pm, I will deliver my UCL Inaugural Lecture "All Tomorrow's Parties: What Central and Eastern Europe Teaches Us About Party Politics" followed by a drinks reception. Free & open to all. If you are in London, I'd be delighted to see you there! www.ucl.ac.uk/arts-humanit...ucl.ac.ukAll Tomorrow’s Parties: What Central and Eastern Europe Teaches Us About Party PoliticsPlease join us for Professor Allan Sikk's Inaugural Lecture 152
Reposted by Allan SikkSona Golder @sonagolder.bsky.social · 07/01/2026We find all types of party switchers less likely to run again vs non-switchers. If seeking reelection, switching is bad for all (newly independent, splits, etc.) except defectors to other parties who can benefit from high list positions w/ new party even if their personal popularity drops. See 👇 031
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 07/01/2026Does party switching pay off for MPs? Not really, but... For details see our #instaparty paper w @sonagolder.bsky.social, @ibenskasr.bsky.social & @paulinasl.bsky.social just out in @electoralstudies.bsky.social. doi.org/10.1016/j.el... 0127
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 09/09/2025- Legislative Party Switching and Party Electoral Support. Thu, 11/9, 4-5:30pm - Party System Evolution in Parliaments and Elections. Sat, 13/9, 8-9:30am - Electoral Fate of Party Switchers. Sun, 14/9, 10-11:30am Find us in the online programme: convention2.allacademic.com/one/apsa/aps... 010
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 09/09/2025If you are in Vancouver this week, do come along to Instaparty presentations @apsa.bsky.social 2025! instapartyproject.com @ibenskasr.bsky.social @sonagolder.bsky.social @paulinasl.bsky.social 141
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 09/07/2025Excited to join #IPSA in Seoul to present "Parliamentary Switching & Electoral Party Evolution" and co-present "Gender & Parliamentary Party Switching" with @sonagolder.bsky.social co-authored by: @ibenskasr.bsky.social & @paulinasl.bsky.social. instapartyproject.com in full swing! Panel links ⬇️ 2101
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 23/06/2025A teaching opportunity for political science PhD students in the London area - come and work with me or my colleagues! www.ucl.ac.uk/pg-teaching-...ucl.ac.ukPGTA - School of Slavonic and East European StudiesThe School of Slavonic and East European Studies are looking for PGTAs. Start date: 15 September 2025. Deadline to apply: 12am (midnight), Sunday 6th July 2025. 020
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 17/06/2025Excited to share this INSTAPARTY project paper co-authored w Raimondas Ibenskas, Paulina Sałek-Lipcean and Sona Golder in Legislative Studies Quarterly: Independents in Parliament: Temporary Status or Final Destination? Available open access: doi.org/10.1111/lsq.... instapartyproject.comdoi.orgIndependents in Parliament: Temporary Status or Final Destination?Political parties are essential for structuring parliamentary decision-making in democracies. However, in some countries, as many as 10% of legislators experience spells outside of parliamentary part.... 071
Reposted by Allan SikkDepartment of Comparative Politics UiB @sampol.bsky.social · 11/06/2025🌟 New article 🇱🇹🇵🇱🇷🇴 👥 @ibenskasr.bsky.social @paulinasl.bsky.social @sonagolder.bsky.social @allansikk.bsky.social 👉 Independents in Parliament: Temporary Status or Final Destination? 📗 Open access in: Legislative Studies Quarterly 🔗 onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...onlinelibrary.wiley.comIndependents in Parliament: Temporary Status or Final Destination?Political parties are essential for structuring parliamentary decision-making in democracies. However, in some countries, as many as 10% of legislators experience spells outside of parliamentary part.... 053
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 02/04/2025My short post on Baltic security for the @uclei.bsky.social series "A Changing Geopolitical Order" ucleuropeblog.com/2025/04/01/u...ucleuropeblog.comUnplug and Push Off: View from the BalticsThe Baltic States’ strive to distance themselves from Russia has gained ever more traction since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, writes Alan Sikk. However, with increasing concerns about gre… 021
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 21/03/2025Kui raskusi "mehitamisega" vaadakem põhja ja lääne poole. RK komme et komisjone juhivad vaid koal esindajad erineb enamuse 🇪🇺 demokraatiate (eriti Põhjamaade) omast kus toolid jagatakse võrdeliselt kõigi parteide vahel. Rääkisin sellest hiljuti Eesti Õigusteadlaste Päevadel: uttv.ee/naita?id=35943err.eeKoalitsioonile teeb peavalu riigikogu komisjonide mehitamineLoodavas valitsusliidus on uute ministrite leidmisest kriitilisem probleem riigikogu komisjonide mehitamine, mis peavad paika saama juba järgmisel nädalal, ütles Erakonna Eesti 200 koalitsiooniläbirää... 000
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 17/03/2025The symposium will feature panel discussions on key issues of regional and global relevance from Baltic perspectives: Panel I The Baltic states shaping the Global Security Panel II Digital security Panel III Creative Industries and Cultural Diplomacy 000
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 17/03/2025Very excited to share the full programme of the 11th Baltic Symposium 2025: Standing Strong 31/3/25, 9:30–17:00. The keynote speech will be delivered by H.E. Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Former President of Estonia (2006-16). Info & booking: www.ucl.ac.uk/ssees/events... @uclssees.bsky.social 154
Reposted by Allan SikkRob Ford @robfordmancs.bsky.social · 13/12/2024New Swingometer! With the new Lab govt expected to consider reforms to voting rights, I have revisited & updated analysis I did a few years ago looking at migrants' voting rights. Tl;dr: There is overwhelming public support for enfranchising settled migrants open.substack.com/pub/swingome...open.substack.comNic O Nas Bez NasWhy settled migrants deserve voting rights 86326
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 09/12/2024Greatly enjoyed the Annual Lithuanian Pol Sci Conference last week: great panels & stimulating chats w colleagues after my keynote. Special thanks to Gražina for a wonderful walk in the Old Town - you're not only an excellent teacher & generous colleague, but also a 1st class tour guide! 041
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 07/12/2024Small but sweet @uclssees.bsky.social reunion with Vilius Mackinis and Gražina Bielousova at the Annual Lithuanian Political Science Conference! 🙂 061
Reposted by Allan SikkMihail Chiru @mihailchiru.bsky.social · 30/11/2024The results of the first round of the Romanian presidential election were shocking. For the first time since 1989, neither of the candidates from the two largest parties qualified for the run-off and an ultra-nationalist won. What to expect from the parliamentary elections taking place tomorrow? 12811
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 25/11/2024Honoured to be invited to give a keynote speech about political parties and their people at the Annual Lithuanian Political Science Conference next week. Looking forward to wintry Vilnius! 🙂 www.tspmi.vu.lt/en/conferenc...tspmi.vu.ltAnnual Lithuanian Political Science Conference "The Year of Elections: Lithuania, Europe, the World"Annual Lithuanian Political Science Conference "The Echoes of Polycrisis in Lithuania and the World" will be held on November 30 – December 1, 2023. 050
Reposted by Allan SikkEast European Politics @eepolitics.bsky.social · 24/11/2024🗳️ Have you been following today's presidential election in #Romania? Check out the comments below for excellent & relevant publications below 👇 🇷🇴 @andreapirro.bsky.social 963
Reposted by Allan SikkUCL School of Slavonic and East European Studies @uclssees.bsky.social · 18/11/2024We're new here. In case you don't know who we are, here's an intro: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD0G...youtube.comUCL SSEESYouTube video by UCLSSEES 1107
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 18/11/2024Great list - many thanks! I'd be happy to be part of this gang! 010
Reposted by Allan SikkCas Mudde @casmudde.bsky.social · 06/11/2024Here is my Guardian piece. I would have used the title: “Why Trump 2.0 will be nothing like Trump 1.0” www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...theguardian.comWill Donald Trump destroy US democracy? Unlikely | Cas MuddeThe US system is complex, rigid and set up to prevent tyranny. Still, marginalized groups will face an even more hostile state 45832
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 19/10/2024A fire alarm delayed Baltic independence by a week. But it was a real pleasure yesterday to have Paris Chen (U of Birmingham, f: UCL SSEES PhD) with us for another week of Baltic Politics & Society seminars! Always great to chat in Estonian with my Taiwanese friend, too. 🙂 120
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 16/10/2024Meie arutelu Õigusteadlaste Päevadel nüüd Tartu Ülikooli TVs nähtaval. Head vaatamist! uttv.ee/naita?id=35943uttv.ee 010
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 03/10/2024Upcoming electoral reform in Estonia 🚨. This is (mostly) about the bulging 🚗🚘🚙belt around Tallinn. 15/101 MPs were elected from a single district there in 2023. The D is v large compared to others but not as large as Uusimaa (19% MPs) in Finland with a similar el system. news.err.ee/1609477637/r...news.err.eeRiigikogu committee keen to examine potential electoral districts reformThe Riigikogu's Constitutional Committee is awaiting the findings of research from the University of Tartu on potential electoral reform in Estonia – including redrawing electoral district boundaries. 011
Reposted by Allan SikkZeynep Somer-Topcu @zeynsom.bsky.social · 01/10/2024I was honored to comment on such a great book. Well done, Allan and Philipp. 062
Reposted by Allan SikkPD Dr Philipp Köker @philippkoeker.bsky.social · 01/10/2024Many thanks to @zeynsom.bsky.social for this wonderful review of @allansikk.bsky.social's and my book "Party People: Candidates and Party Evolution" (OUP 2023) in European Political Science! Read the full review here 👉 doi.org/10.1057/s413... More about the book here 👉 doi.org/10.1093/oso/... 041
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 27/09/2024Excited to have participated in the excellent Estonian Legal Scholars Conference and share my thoughts on how to improve Estonian parliamentarism (further). Really enjoyed seeing so many old and new colleagues and friends in beautiful Tartu! 020
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 21/09/2024Interesting. Weights make sense. But you’d get HH=0.5 if all q’s are *both* def & budget. Depends on the exact purpose but could be quite different from 50% d & 50% b? 010
Reposted by Allan SikkJacob Edenhofer @jacobedenhofer.bsky.social · 18/09/2024Primer on ranked choice voting by @aeggers.bsky.social and @laurenbouton.bsky.social effectivegov.uchicago.edu/primers/rank...effectivegov.uchicago.eduRanked-Choice Voting 043
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 11/09/2024Back in London, still feeling 💡 by the feedback from critics and the audience at #APSA2024. Huge thanks to everyone for joining us! 041
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 06/09/2024Also involved in a paper by @philippkoeker.bsky.social and Matthew Schlachter on party leadership change (noon). 000
Allan Sikk @allansikk.bsky.social · 06/09/2024Switching to party switching mode in INSTAPARTY (instapartyproject.com) style tomorrow. Two papers on party switching on Sat at #apsa2024: w/ @sonagolder.bsky.social co-authored w/ @ibenskasr.bsky.social & @paulinasl.bsky.social) at 8am & 2pm.instapartyproject.comParty Instability in Parliaments: INSTAPARTY 120
Reposted by Allan SikkAlona O. Dolinsky @alonadolinsky.com · 05/09/2024Fantastic round table at #APSA2024 with @philippkoeker.bsky.social and @allansikk.bsky.social presenting their new book on #PartyPeople and party evolution. Check out their book at the OUP Politics booth in the exhibition hall! 1113
Reposted by Allan SikkPD Dr Philipp Köker @philippkoeker.bsky.social · 05/09/2024Are you at #APSA2024 and want to hear more about #PartyPeople and party evolution? Then come to @allansikk.bsky.social and my “Authors Meet Critics“ roundtable today at 4pm (more info here 👉 bit.ly/pp_apsa2024) or check out our book at the OUP Politics booth in the exhibition hall! 031