proportsionaalsüsteemi

A proportsionaalsüsteemi, or proportional system, is a type of electoral system designed to allocate seats in a legislature in proportion to the votes received by each political party. This means that if a party receives 30% of the votes, it should ideally be awarded approximately 30% of the seats. The primary goal of proportional representation is to ensure that the composition of the legislature accurately reflects the will of the electorate.

There are various methods for implementing proportional representation. Common approaches include party-list proportional representation, where voters choose a party, and the party then fills its allocated seats from a pre-determined list of candidates. Another method is the single transferable vote (STV), used in multi-member constituencies, where voters rank candidates in order of preference. This system allows for both proportional allocation of seats and the election of individual candidates.

Proportional systems are often contrasted with plurality or majority systems, where the candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins the seat, regardless of whether they achieve a majority. Proponents argue that proportional systems lead to greater fairness, reduce wasted votes, and encourage representation of smaller parties and diverse viewpoints. Critics sometimes point to potential drawbacks such as fragmentation of the political landscape, difficulty in forming stable governments, and a weakened link between voters and individual representatives. The specific implementation of proportional representation can significantly influence its outcomes and overall impact on a country's political system.