Nimekirjavalimissüsteemide

Nimekirjavalimissüsteemid, also known as list proportional representation, is a family of electoral systems used to elect multiple representatives to a legislative body. In these systems, political parties compile lists of candidates, and voters cast a ballot for a specific party. The seats in the legislature are then allocated to the parties in proportion to the total number of votes each party receives.

There are several variations of list proportional representation. Closed-list systems require voters to accept the party's predetermined order of candidates. Open-list systems, conversely, allow voters to express a preference for individual candidates within a party's list, potentially influencing the order in which candidates are elected. Some systems also employ a minimum threshold, meaning a party must secure a certain percentage of the vote to be eligible for seat allocation.

The primary advantage of list proportional representation is its tendency to produce election outcomes that closely reflect the overall vote share of different political parties. This can lead to greater representation for smaller parties and a broader spectrum of political viewpoints in the legislature. Critics, however, sometimes argue that these systems can lead to fragmented parliaments and potentially unstable coalition governments. The specific design of a list proportional representation system, including the number of representatives per district and the presence of thresholds, can significantly impact its effects on party representation and government formation.