Coalition partiesCoalition partiesDo parties change their positions between the electoral arena and the parliamentary arena? Why do they change them? And what does this mean for representation? This chapter introduces the main research questions of this book and contextualises them both in scientific as well as in public debates. It highlights how the findings of this book can advance scientific knowledge about the representation process and how they can inspire public debates about the role of political parties as representative actors. By focussing on the inner workings of representation in parliament, the book closes a gap in empirical representation literature. This chapter explains why a better understanding of the representation process in parliament is crucial when democracy is under pressure from populist actors around the world.