Tsipras to propose proportional representation
After a round of talks with the leaders of all the opposition parties represented in Parliament, bar Golden Dawn, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is expected to propose that Greece’s electoral system change to one of proportional representation.
Currently, the party that wins the general elections gains a 50-seat bonus. While this system has been credited with making it easier to form single-party governments, and therefore ensuring greater political stability, it has also been criticized for negating the need for politicians to seek common ground with rivals.
It was thought that the coalition might propose a reduction in the number of bonus seats awarded to the winning party as a way of compromise between the current system and proportional representation. However, following his meetings with other party leaders, Tsipras appears to favor not having any bonus for the election winner and employing proportional representation, which would mean each party’s share of seats in Parliament corresponding directly with its share of the vote.
It is thought that PASOK and To Potami may support such a switch but New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis has made it clear his party would not. The conservatives believe that Tsipras wants to change the electoral law to reduce New Democracy’s chances of scoring a clear victory the next time Greeks go to the ballot box.
