13 Patterns of parliamentary elite recruitment in Central and Eastern Europe A comparative analysis Elena Semenova, Michael Edinger, and Heinrich Best The initial configuration of elites proved crucial for the process of democratic consolidation across Eastern Europe. The significant differences between indi- vidual countries notwithstanding, these former communist satellites all experi- enced the collapse of their regimes and the rapid delegitimization of their old elites. New elites, however – whether within the nomenklatura or outside the structures of power altogether – could not fully seize power prior to the holding of free elections. In some Central and East European (CEE) countries, new con- figurations of power resulted from “negotiated revolutions” and “round table” compromises – pacts between the hardliners and reformers of the old elite on the one hand, and the moderates and radicals of the opposition on the other. These reform-minded, yet substantial regime changes have been termed “refolutions” (Garton Ash 1989). For two groups in particular, these regime changes presented a window of opportunity – namely, political dissidents previously excluded from public office, and technically educated secondary or tertiary elites inside and outside of the nomenklatura. The latter, who had dim career prospects under the geronto- cratic recruitment patterns of the late-communist period, could use the transition to make the most of their experience and education, and to enter into the halls of political power, e.g., parliament, cabinet, and high-ranking administrative posts. The dissidents, although inexperienced in the practice of politics, found them- selves with an unprecedented moral authority and, by the logic of an exceptional situation, became decision-makers almost overnight. Yet in many CEE countries, the regime turnover was marked by a dearth of suitable candidates for the new elite. This increased the likelihood that old com- munist politicians could “survive” the collapse of their regime, or re-enter pol- itics after a brief absence. The scope of political elite circulation was taken as an indication of the comprehensiveness of the regime change, as well as the legiti- macy of the new leadership (Higley and Lengyel 2000). The perceived corres- pondence between the composition of the new political elite and the durability of its regime reflected serious doubts about whether a democratic order could endure and flourish under the political leadership of the “old guard” (Szelényi and Szelényi 1995).