The Slovak 2016 Party System Earthquake. Could a Slight Electoral Reform Help? Cover Image

Slovenské stranické zemětřesení 2016. Pomohla by malá volební reforma?
The Slovak 2016 Party System Earthquake. Could a Slight Electoral Reform Help?

Author(s): Daniel Kerekes, Michal Pink, Jakub Šedo
Subject(s): Civil Society, Governance, Electoral systems
Published by: Sociologický ústav - Slovenská akadémia vied
Keywords: Seat distribution; party system fragmentation; electoral reform; election; Slovakia;

Summary/Abstract: The Slovak 2016 Party System Earthquake. Could a Slight Electoral Reform Help? The article estimates seat distribution among political parties in Slovakia’s Parliament using the most recent electoral outcomes and varying a constituency magnitude and a seat distribution formula. The goal of the article is to discuss introducing possible minor reforms of the electoral system with the aim to eliminate party system fragmentation and to reinforce governing efficiency. Consideration is given to the historical evolution of the electoral system and past amendment proposals. Results demonstrate that minor electoral reform would not by itself lead to the desired changes in the party system. In an endeavour to reduce the number of political parties in the Parliament, a change of at least two aspects of the electoral systems would be necessary – seat distribution formula and constituency magnitude.Sociológia 2019, Vol. 51 (No. 1: 64-83)

  • Issue Year: 51/2019
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 64-83
  • Page Count: 20
  • Language: Czech