Klöckner calls for additional changes in the legislative framework for federal parliamentary elections
Germany's Bundestag Reduction Sparks Debate Over Direct Mandates and Representation
A recent reform in Germany's electoral law, spearheaded by the traffic light coalition (SPD, Greens, and FDP), has reduced the Bundestag size from 735 to 630 seats. This reform, however, has caused controversy due to its impact on direct mandates and representation of constituency winners.
The reform, which abolished the system of overhang and leveling mandates, resulted in 23 constituency winners not receiving their direct mandates. This change has devalued the first vote, traditionally used by voters to elect local representatives directly, since winning a constituency no longer guarantees a seat in the Bundestag.
Bundestag President Julia Klöckner has been a vocal critic of this reform, urging a renewed reform to restore the integrity of direct mandates and the value of the first vote. While she has not proposed a specific new reform, Klöckner has called for thorough examination of existing suggestions and models to address this problem.
According to a YouGov survey commissioned by the German Press Agency, 47% of respondents want to keep the current electoral law, while 34% support a renewed reform. Among those who voted for the CDU or CSU, 50% are in favour of maintaining the existing electoral law.
The coalition agreement between the Union and SPD includes a commitment to change the electoral law again, with the goal of ensuring that every constituency winner returns to the Bundestag. The agreement also establishes a commission that is to submit proposals for the electoral law reform by the end of this year.
The new reform will examine how to ensure equal representation of women in parliament and whether the voting age for federal elections should be lowered to 16 years. The parliament is to "remain basically at the current size" according to the agreement.
Three constituencies in Baden-Württemberg and one in Hesse are not represented in the Bundestag due to the changes made in the previous legislative period. The reduction was achieved by abolishing surplus and equalization mandates.
As the debate over the electoral law reform continues, it is clear that the issue of direct mandates and representation of constituency winners remains a key concern for many in Germany. The coalition agreement's commitment to revisiting the reforms and reviewing various existing models for revision offers hope for those seeking to restore the integrity of direct mandates and the value of the first vote.
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The policy-and-legislation surrounding the Bundestag's reform and the abolition of the system of overhang and leveling mandates has stirred up politics and general-news discussions, as 23 constituency winners didn't receive their direct mandates, causing the first vote to be devalued. Despite 47% of respondents preferring to keep the current electoral law, the coalition agreement between the Union and SPD includes a promise to revise the electoral law again, focusing on ensuring that every constituency winner returns to the Bundestag, thereby addressing the ongoing concerns about direct mandates and representation.
