Proportional Representation and Party Lists

Proportional representation (PR) aims to give parties a share of seats close to their share of votes. In list PR, the most common form, voters choose a party list in large multi-member districts, and seats are allocated using formulas such as the D'Hondt or Sainte-Laguë methods. Belgium became the first country to adopt list PR for national elections in 1899, and most continental European democracies now use it.

The Netherlands and Israel treat the whole country as a single district, so even small parties can win seats, though Israel requires 3. 25% of the vote. Many countries set thresholds to limit fragmentation. Supporters argue PR is fairer, represents minorities and women better, and encourages consensus. Critics argue it produces fragmented parliaments, long coalition negotiations, and, in 'closed' list systems where parties rank candidates, weaker links between voters and individual representatives.