Causes and consequences of fluid faction membership in Ukraine

While scholars have discussed limited faction loyalty in post-communist parliaments, they have not systematically evaluated its causes and consequences. This study uses data from Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada to assess why many Ukrainian legislators have demonstrated limited loyalty to their factions. After reviewing the legislative process and role of factions in Ukraine, the theoretical expectations are outlined. I employ a multivariate probit model to assess the probability that a deputy will defect from his initial parliamentary faction.7 Extending the model of legislative behaviour in the Russian Duma developed by Smith and Remington,8 I show that a combination of electoral, policy and party-based features predicts the likelihood of faction switching in Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada. I also discuss the implications of defection for representation and policy making. The article concludes by addressing institutional features that encourage deputies to make limited commitments to factions, including the electoral rules and legislative procedures.