Minister Proposes New Electoral System in the Netherlands
A shift to regional candidate selection aims to enhance local representation in the Dutch Parliament.
Minister Uitermark of the Ministry of the Interior is working on a significant overhaul of the electoral system in the Netherlands, confirmed by political sources following reports by media outlets.
The proposal aims to allow voters to elect representatives from their own provinces, with 125 out of the 150 members of the Tweede Kamer (House of Representatives) to be chosen from regional candidate lists.
The remaining 25 members will be selected based on the overall national results of political parties.
This initiative is part of a broader agreement among the governing coalition, which includes the PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB, to implement a new electoral system before the next Tweede Kamer elections.
The aim is to reinforce the regional connection between voters and elected officials, a sentiment echoed by NSC leader Pieter Omtzigt.
He has expressed concerns over the underrepresentation of regional members in the Tweede Kamer, particularly emphasizing the distribution of seats favoring representatives from the Randstad, a heavily populated metropolitan area.
The government has pledged to advance this electoral reform expeditiously.
According to the coalition's governing program, a proposal is being developed that will establish a limited number of electoral districts (10 to 12) tasked with selecting regional candidates alongside a national party list.
The plan specifies that there will be twelve regional electoral districts corresponding to the twelve current provinces.
NSC member Van Waveren expressed optimism about the proposal, stating that improved connections between voters and members of the Tweede Kamer could potentially enhance public trust in government.
Importantly, Minister Uitermark anticipates that the constitutional framework does not require amendment, believing that the changes can be enacted through adjustments to the Electoral Act.
Amending the constitution would necessitate a lengthy process, as it requires holding intervening elections and subsequent approval from the newly elected Tweede Kamer.
Minister Uitermark's plan has been studied by two universities, indicating a thorough examination of its implications.
The proposed system is designed to meet constitutional requirements regarding proportional representation, ensuring that nearly all cast votes influence the distribution of seats.
Historically, elements of regional representation were part of the electoral system until 1983, when the elections for the Eerste Kamer (Senate) saw the country divided into four districts (groups of provinces), within which proportional representation applied.
The proposal aims to allow voters to elect representatives from their own provinces, with 125 out of the 150 members of the Tweede Kamer (House of Representatives) to be chosen from regional candidate lists.
The remaining 25 members will be selected based on the overall national results of political parties.
This initiative is part of a broader agreement among the governing coalition, which includes the PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB, to implement a new electoral system before the next Tweede Kamer elections.
The aim is to reinforce the regional connection between voters and elected officials, a sentiment echoed by NSC leader Pieter Omtzigt.
He has expressed concerns over the underrepresentation of regional members in the Tweede Kamer, particularly emphasizing the distribution of seats favoring representatives from the Randstad, a heavily populated metropolitan area.
The government has pledged to advance this electoral reform expeditiously.
According to the coalition's governing program, a proposal is being developed that will establish a limited number of electoral districts (10 to 12) tasked with selecting regional candidates alongside a national party list.
The plan specifies that there will be twelve regional electoral districts corresponding to the twelve current provinces.
NSC member Van Waveren expressed optimism about the proposal, stating that improved connections between voters and members of the Tweede Kamer could potentially enhance public trust in government.
Importantly, Minister Uitermark anticipates that the constitutional framework does not require amendment, believing that the changes can be enacted through adjustments to the Electoral Act.
Amending the constitution would necessitate a lengthy process, as it requires holding intervening elections and subsequent approval from the newly elected Tweede Kamer.
Minister Uitermark's plan has been studied by two universities, indicating a thorough examination of its implications.
The proposed system is designed to meet constitutional requirements regarding proportional representation, ensuring that nearly all cast votes influence the distribution of seats.
Historically, elements of regional representation were part of the electoral system until 1983, when the elections for the Eerste Kamer (Senate) saw the country divided into four districts (groups of provinces), within which proportional representation applied.
