Mixed Electoral Systems as a Political Way Out: a Comparative Perspective

I sistemi elettorali misti come compromesso politico: una prospettiva comparata

Abstract

The debate around mixed electoral systems has been ongoing among scholars starting 1989. Since that year mixed systems – originally introduced by Germany after the Second World War – formed a new electoral model from both a quantitative and a qualitative perspective. Democratic transitions of Central and Eastern Europe guaranteed the circulation of this model among States which were beginning their transition process to democracy. Researchers unanimously consider mixed systems as one of the most relevant legislative instruments that were used to reach a compromise between the former but still ruling parties and the new political powers during the ‘90s. The purpose of this essay is to provide an overview of mixed electoral systems in Europe after about three decades of their explosion. The analysis includes a review of the technical elements of mixed electoral systems trying to compare, where it is possible, the different issues at stake.

Keywords: Mixed Electoral Systems; Electoral law; Democratic Transitions; 1989; Central and Eastern Europe.