How 'Teflon Politicians' Win Elections Despite Scandals Through Voter Amnesia

Politicians caught in corruption scandals rarely defend themselves with legal arguments in public. Instead, they transform their court cases into political campaigns, using courtrooms as their political arenas. They skillfully convince the public that the entire process against them is "politically motivated," blaming the system, "corrupt elites," or the "deep state" for trying to bring them down because they are "fighting for the people and the common man."

In this climate, any indictment against them is perceived as an attack, not as justice, deepening the divide between the electorate and the judicial system. Despite serious court proceedings and accusations of corruption, money laundering, abuse of power, and various other (im)moral transgressions, mayors and even presidents have managed, and continue to manage, to win the trust of their voters and win elections.

While some see this as a major problem and a deep crisis of democracy and the rule of law, others interpret it as an expression of the people's distrust in institutions. Sociologists and political analysts attribute this phenomenon to three main factors: clientelism, a skillful narrative of political persecution and victimhood, and the perception of 'competence.' Charisma, populist rhetoric offering easy solutions to complex problems, and a carefully constructed image of a "man of the people" fighting the elite are often stronger than any evidence of corruption or abuse of power.

Voters often consciously ignore doubts and accusations, voting for a politician from whom they directly benefit, whether through a job already obtained or promised, or the resolution of infrastructure problems. If such a politician simultaneously builds roads, fountains, or distributes aid, their shady dealings are instantly tolerated. The narrative of victimhood is also a powerful tool – accused politicians rarely defend themselves with solid legal arguments. Instead, they turn their court cases into political campaigns, convincing the public that the process is politically motivated and blaming elites or the 'deep state' for trying to oust them because they are "fighting for the people."