New Political Scenario, New Motivations?

The Spanish political scenario has substantially changed since the beginning of the Great Recession. The emergence of new formations and the high levels of renewal among traditional parties (the PP and PSOE) have provided a ‘structure of opportunities’ that favours entry into politics. However, widespread discontent with political representatives may also have negatively affected many people’s motivations to go into politics. This chapter focuses on a fundamental question: in this context of political turmoil and regeneration, coupled with widespread political disaffection, why do people decide to become politicians? Using the CIUPARCRI data, MPs’ motivations are studied by analysing the differences between sex, age, parties, chambers, socialisation, and recruitment.