Revenge of places that don’t matter? The case of the Unión del Pueblo Leonés
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22325/fes/res.2025.253Keywords:
political geography, electoral behavior, regionalism, León, territorial declineAbstract
This study analyzes the electoral rise of the Unión del Pueblo Leonés (UPL) from the perspective of the geography of discontent and the "places that don’t matter." Using multiple linear regression models, it examines the growth in votes during the 2011-2022 period and the percentage obtained in the 2022 regional elections, considering the 211 municipalities of the province of León as the unit of analysis. It also explores the individual determinants of voting, addressing whether this phenomenon is better explained by territorial characteristics or individual circumstances. The results highlight the relevance of territorial factors, such as economic and demographic decline—reflected in population loss, increased masculinization, and a reduction in businesses—in driving the growth of UPL votes. This work contributes to understanding the rise of alternative political options in declining territories, emphasizing the importance of territorial dynamics.
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