[EM] Introductory Message

[David GLAUDE]

In Belgium, a 5% thresold was introduced in the proportional system at 
almost all level of election.

This is of course ridiculous and will proof to be anti-democratic if the 
"Groen!" (Dutch speaking green party) get 4,9% as currently expected 
less than 40 days before European Election.

Also it changed the shape of the political landscape in the Dutch 
speaking side by having all small party merging with the BIG one.

I don't have a clue on why such a limit was introduce, but when you 
consider electronic voting in use here and this 5% limit, one can 
consider the lack of democracy in Belgium.

5% in Brussels regional election, it mean about 4 elected 
representative!!! So it is 4 or 0.

I had a chance to talk with a representative of one of the 2 BIG party 
in the French speaking region (we cas say there are 2 BIG and 2 small) 
and he said he favour a system where there is only LEFT against RIGHT so 
he was favouring the disparition of any small entity.

Those 5% are not even efficient to block the extremist party on the 
dutch speaking side, because they are way above that limit!!!

Do you have any advocacy reference against those limit?
Any other country with such silly limit?

David GLAUDE

Dave Ketchum wrote:

>> Presently we vote for the parties that comprise the Knesset separately 
>> from the PM.  I should like to see voter ratings of 1 - 120 (120 
>> corresponding to the number of seats in the Knesset) for the parties 
>> that are contending for seats in the Knesset.  Thus, theoretically, 
>> one party could hold every seat in the Knesset (of course this 
>> scenario is well nigh impossible, but the possibility should exist).  
>> This voting procedure would not only determine which parties will 
>> comprise the Knesset, and how many seats they will have, but will do 
>> away with the present system of parties having to pass a 1.5% thre 
>> shold of votes in order to have any representation at all (see 
>> http://tinyurl.com/22woe).

(in case tiny URL disapear: 
http://www.knesset.gov.il/description/eng/eng_mimshal_beh.htm)

> If I read the 1.5% correctly, it says a party too weak to elect two 
> members should have none.  Seems like a political question we should duck.
> 
> Also, I see no need to disturb the proportional representation presently 
> in use.  Anyone wishing to change this needs to explain the expected 
> benefits.
> 
> I read of a variety of methods of creating party lists.
>      Demanding that all change would likely be most successful at 
> inspiring enemies.
>      If some methods are ugly, perhaps these could be improved.