Ausgleichsmandaten

Ausgleichsmandaten, often translated as "compensatory mandates" or "balancing seats," are a mechanism used in some electoral systems, particularly in Germany, to ensure proportionality in parliamentary representation. Their primary purpose is to correct imbalances that arise from the direct election of a certain number of representatives in single-member constituencies.

In a mixed-member proportional system, voters cast two votes. The first vote is for a direct candidate in their constituency, similar to a first-past-the-post system. The second vote, however, is for a party list. This second vote is considered the more decisive one as it determines the overall proportional distribution of seats in the parliament according to the parties' share of the vote.

If a party wins more direct mandates in constituencies than its proportional share of the second votes would normally entitle it to, these extra seats are retained. However, other parties that receive fewer direct mandates than their proportional entitlement would suggest may then be allocated Ausgleichsmandaten. These additional seats are designed to bring the overall composition of the parliament back into line with the party list vote results, thereby achieving a more accurate reflection of the electorate's preferences.

The introduction of Ausgleichsmandaten can lead to an expansion of the total number of seats in the parliament beyond the initially allocated number. This is a deliberate consequence intended to uphold the principle of proportionality. The system aims to prevent smaller parties from being significantly underrepresented and to ensure that the parliamentary power distribution closely mirrors the national vote share of each party.