Elders and Rookies: Impact of Age and Experience on MPs' Parliamentary Activity in the Czech Republic

Abstract

Factors of age and experience are commonly utilized as control variables in quantitative analyses of representatives' legislative behaviour. However, a complex study of the relationship is missing in the case of the Czech Republic.

The paper deals with the research gap and delivers comprehensive analysis of the impact of age and gender on parliamentary activity of Czech MPs. The study is based on a unique dataset of parliamentary activity of legislators in the Czech Republic since 1993 until 2017.

The results suggest that age and experience mainly affect MPs' attendance during plenary meetings and a number of speeches they deliver.