Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/149548 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2016
Series/Report no.: 
ifo Working Paper No. 226
Publisher: 
ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, Munich
Abstract: 
Using microdata that serve as the foundation of the ifo Business Climate Index, Germany’s leading business cycle indicator, I examine whether political uncertainty influences how firm owners perceive their present state and future development of business. I use state election months as indicators of times of high political uncertainty. The results show that firm owners are optimistic regarding their expected business development before state elections. After state elections firms change their expectations and expect their business to develop worse. It is conceivable that firm owners are more optimistic prior to state elections because politicians promised individual policies to gratify the firms’ needs during election times. Firms might be disappointed after elections as the promises made during election campaigns by politicians turn out to be empty words.
Subjects: 
Business perceptions
political uncertainty
elections
survey data
panel data
JEL: 
C23
D22
D72
H32
H70
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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