In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, First Past the Post would have turned a slight lead into a huge majority for the AFDGermany is made up of 16 federal states, each with a slightly different version of proportional representation – making it a reliable source of news for us if nothing else! As per the national parliament,...Posted 28 Sep 2026
First Past the Post would have given the AfD nearly every seat in Saxony-AnhaltThere has been much coverage in recent days of the outcome of the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, which lies in eastern Germany. It is unusual for regional elections in other countries to generate such debate...Posted 10 Sep 2026
Exploring the proportional outcome of Germany’s 2025 Federal electionWith around 84.5 million inhabitants, Germany is the most populous country in western Europe. A German Federal election, where representatives are elected to the Bundestag (Germany’s national parliament), is therefore always an important event. From...Posted 24 Feb 2025
How do elections work in the German States?Fresh off the heels of voters in Germany’s northernmost state of Schleswig-Holstein, this Sunday 15th May it is North-Rhine Westphalia’s turn to elect their state parliament or Landtag. With a population just shy of 18...Posted 09 May 2022
How are the members of upper houses chosen around the world?Many countries use a bicameral political system – meaning that they have two chambers in their parliament. These parliaments are comprised of a lower house where the government is formed and day-to-day politics is carried...Posted 27 Jan 2022
How are Prime Ministers chosen around the world?With pressure mounting on Boris Johnson, it’s looking increasingly possible that Britain could well soon have a new Prime Minister. Who it would be, would be a decision for Conservative MPs and, possibly, Conservative party...Posted 19 Jan 2022
How are Presidents elected around Europe?2022 is a big year for presidential elections in Europe – with the Italian, German and French presidencies all open over the next few months.Posted 05 Jan 2022
Germany’s 2021 election: How Germans voteThis Sunday (26th March), Germany goes to the polls to elect its national parliament – the Bundestag. With Angela Merkel stepping down as Chancellor after 16 years, this election will cause only the fifth change...Posted 23 Sep 2021
Barriers to entry: How do electoral thresholds work?A common feature of many Party List PR systems is an electoral threshold – a pre-set bar that parties have to reach if they want to win seats.Posted 03 Sep 2021
Which European countries use proportional representation?Of the 43 countries most often considered to be within Europe, 40 use some form of proportional representation to elect their MPs. The UK stands almost alone in Europe in using a ‘one-person-takes-all’ disproportionate voting...Posted 26 Dec 2018