Germany Court Rules on Bundestag Electoral Reform

Germany's Federal Constitutional Court has ruled that parts of a recent electoral reform aimed at reducing the size of the Bundestag are unconstitutional, particularly a change that would have disadvantaged smaller parties. The reform, proposed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition, sought to limit the number of seats to 630, but the court found the abolition of the 'Grundmandatsklausel'—which allows parties with at least three directly elected representatives to enter parliament despite not meeting the 5% threshold—was incompatible with the Basic Law. This ruling benefits smaller parties like the Left Party and the Christian Social Union, which have historically relied on this clause to secure parliamentary representation. The Bundestag currently holds 733 members, a situation exacerbated by the complex voting system that can lead to an inflated number of lawmakers. The court's decision emphasizes the importance of maintaining equal footing among political parties in Germany's electoral system, designed to prevent fragmentation. The ruling reflects ongoing tensions in German politics regarding electoral representation and the balance of power between larger and smaller parties.