Zweitstimmen

Zweitstimme is the second vote in German federal elections. It is essential for determining how many seats a party receives in the Bundestag under the mixed-member proportional representation system. Each voter has two votes: the Erststimme for a direct candidate in a local electoral district and the Zweitstimme for a party list at state level. The Erststimme decides direct mandates, while the Zweitstimme shapes the party's overall representation in the Bundestag.

Seat allocation based on Zweitstimme aims to reflect the national proportional support for each party. The number of seats a party receives is determined by its share of second votes, subject to constitutional and electoral rules. A party that fails to cross a national threshold can still gain representation if it wins a minimum number of direct mandates.

Traditionally, a 5 percent hurdle applies to the Zweitstimme to qualify for proportional seat distribution. There is also an exception: a party that wins a certain number of direct mandates nationwide can enter Bundestag representation even if its Zweitstimmen share is below the threshold. The exact mechanics have evolved with reforms and court rulings to balance direct representation with proportionality.

In practice, the Zweitstimme is the primary driver of party strength in the Bundestag, while the Erststimme determines local representation. The combination of both votes seeks to merge local accountability with nationwide proportionality, influencing the formation of government coalitions and legislative dynamics.