Before the 2021 elections, the Constitutional Court ruled that the existing electoral system had to be changed. The resulting compromise between the then-government and the opposition was supposed to correct its shortcomings and make the process of allocating seats in parliament more transparent. Four years later, it is evident that these goals were not achieved; instead, the structure’s increased complexity has produced unintended consequences. How does the current electoral system differ, and how will electoral mathematics impact the next contest this fall?

Key takeaways:

• The new electoral system for the Chamber of Deputies, in place since 2021, allows for paradoxical situations in which a party with a higher share of votes receives fewer seats than a party with fewer votes — an outcome resembling the effects of majoritarian systems.
• A crucial factor in the recalculation of results is the number of parties that make it onto the ballot. The more parties that advance, the more proportionally the system tends to function; however, this also complicates the formation of governing coalitions.
• The legislators aimed to improve the old electoral system; however, in its new form, it behaves unpredictably and, under certain circumstances, produces even more disproportionate outcomes than before the reform.

Analysis –Irena Krcháková

The analysis is in PDF under the link below.