Verhältniswahlverfahren

Verhältniswahlverfahren, also known as proportional representation, is an electoral system designed to allocate seats in a legislature in proportion to the votes cast for each political party. Unlike plurality or majority systems where a candidate wins a seat by receiving the most votes in a district, proportional representation aims to ensure that the distribution of seats closely mirrors the overall distribution of voter preferences.

There are various methods to implement proportional representation, but they generally involve dividing a larger electoral area, often a multi-member constituency or the entire country, into electoral districts. Voters cast their ballots for a party list rather than individual candidates. The total number of votes each party receives nationwide or within a district is then used to determine the number of seats they are allocated.

Common mechanisms for translating votes into seats include the d'Hondt method, the Sainte-Laguë method, and Hare quota. These mathematical formulas aim to achieve proportionality, although some may slightly favor larger parties over smaller ones. Thresholds, or minimum vote percentages required for a party to gain representation, are often employed to prevent extreme fragmentation of parliament.

The primary advantage of Verhältniswahlverfahren is its perceived fairness in reflecting the electorate's will, giving a voice to smaller parties and minority viewpoints. Critics, however, sometimes point to potential for political instability due to a greater number of parties in parliament, potentially leading to coalition governments that may be less decisive.