The Fritz Thyssen foundation has approved funding for a research project on the appeal and consequences of rebel politicians in parliamentary democracy to be conducted at the Cologne Center for Comparative Politics. In collaboration with researchers at the University of Essex, Prof. Proksch and Dr. Wratil will conduct a series of novel survey experiments using nationally representative samples in European countries as well as collect data on politicians’ social media activity and citizens’ reactions to this activity. The new datasets will provide answers to when and why voters value rebellion, why some voters punish whereas others reward rebellious politicians, and if rebellious behaviour has consequences for citizens’ trust in and satisfaction with representative democracy.