Keskvalitsus

Keskvalitsus, also known as proportional representation, is an electoral system used to elect a legislature or other body where the number of seats allocated to each party is proportional to the number of votes received. This system aims to ensure that the composition of the elected body reflects the composition of the electorate.

In a proportional representation system, voters cast their votes for political parties rather than individual candidates. After the votes are counted, seats in the legislature are allocated to each party in proportion to the number of votes they received. This can be done through various methods, such as the d'Hondt method, the Sainte-Laguë method, or the Hare quota.

Proportional representation systems are often used in countries with multi-party systems, as they encourage the formation of a diverse range of political parties and can lead to more stable and representative governments. However, they can also result in fragmented parliaments, where no single party has a majority, and coalition governments are more common.

The use of proportional representation can also lead to a situation known as vote splitting, where voters may spread their votes across multiple parties rather than supporting a single party, potentially diluting the influence of any one party. This can be mitigated through the use of preferential voting or other systems that allow voters to rank their preferences.

Proportional representation is not without its critics. Some argue that it can lead to a lack of clear majority rule, as no single party may have a majority of seats. Others contend that it can result in a lack of accountability, as parties may be less motivated to govern effectively if they are not in a position to form a majority government.

Despite these criticisms, proportional representation remains a popular and widely used electoral system in many democracies around the world. Its primary advantage is that it provides a more accurate reflection of the electorate's preferences, ensuring that the elected body is more representative of the people's will.