Imagined constituents Minoritized citizens’ evaluations of political representatives in Germany and the Netherlands

The presence of minoritized representatives is considered essential to advance the interests and inclusion of minoritized groups. But do minoritized citizens prefer politicians like them? Drawing on nineteen focus groups (N = 98) with minoritized Dutch and German citizens, I ask how citizens evaluate (descriptive) representatives. Citizens see descriptive representation as intersectional. They value politicians – regardless of descriptive status – who imagine their lived reality, politically judge, and act on that basis, and enhance emancipation and group legitimacy. Many see descriptive representatives as better able to do so. Yet, in practice, citizens examine if descriptive politicians share their political judgements and act for them within established politics. The findings suggest that increasing numbers is necessary but not sufficient. Whether citizens perceive representation depends on the space descriptive representatives have within the political system to articulate marginalized identities and concerns. Citizens’ evaluations reflect differences in self-identification, privilege/disadvantage, group histories, electoral systems, and representation legacies.