German Federal Parliament has a reduced number of representatives
The German electoral reform of 2023, designed to modernise the voting system, has brought about significant changes in voting behaviour and representation in the Bundestag. The reform, primarily by complicating the effectiveness of the first vote (Erststimme), which traditionally allowed voters to directly elect district candidates, has raised concerns over democratic representation clarity and voter comprehension.
The reform's impact is evident in several ways:
- Diminished influence of direct candidate selection: The first vote no longer guarantees that winners of district races secure Bundestag seats, undermining traditional direct representation logic. This shift may alter voter behaviour by reducing motivation to vote based on local candidates.
- Expanded Bundestag size: The electoral changes have contributed to parliamentary enlargement beyond the intended number of members, affecting the proportionality and efficiency of representation.
- Calls for further reform: Political leaders, such as Bundestag President Julia Klöckner (CDU), advocate for electoral law revisions aiming to restore the connection between voter choice and representation and to simplify the system for public understanding.
Although empirical data on post-2023 reform voting behaviour is not extensive, the critiques and political responses indicate that the reform has posed challenges to voter trust in the electoral system and parliamentary composition. The reform appears to have contributed to growing public and political concerns about the Bundestag's democratic legitimacy and representation efficacy, prompting active debate on future electoral system restructuring.
The reform's influence on party strategies and the distribution of power among parties remains to be seen, but the discussion of Bundestag membership size suggests potential implications for coalition dynamics and legislative efficiency.
In the 2021 Bundestag election, The Left party was able to send 39 members to the Bundestag due to the basic mandate clause, as they secured three direct mandates with 4.9 percent of the second votes. Had the reform been in effect for the 2021 Bundestag election, 11 CDU members from Baden-Württemberg might not have made it to Berlin.
Meanwhile, the FDP had no constituency winners in 2021. Notably, prominent figures in The Left party, including Gregor Gysi, Bodo Ramelow, and Dietmar Bartsch, are counting on securing direct mandates in the upcoming election.
Political scientist Michael Wehner believes that the reform will influence voting behaviour in the upcoming Bundestag election, as fewer voters may split their votes due to the uncertainty caused by the reform. The basic mandate clause, which exempts parties with at least three direct seats from the five percent hurdle, remains in effect following the court ruling in summer 2024.
The 2023 reform has disrupted the direct constituency link in elections, increased Bundestag size, confused voters, and stimulated calls for comprehensive electoral law renewal to enhance democratic representation and voting behaviour clarity. As the upcoming Bundestag election approaches, the impact of these changes on political dynamics and voter behaviour will continue to unfold.
- The policy-and-legislation enacted in 2023, dubbed the German electoral reform, has significantly influenced the politics surrounding representation and voting behavior in the Bundestag, confusing voters and stirring up calls for further reform.
- The repercussions of the 2023 policy-and-legislation on politics extend beyond voter behavior and representation, as the reform has also contributed to general-news topics revolving around the Bundestag's democratic legitimacy,efficient representation, and potential future electoral system restructuring.
