Question 127
Why is there the 5% hurdle in the electoral law of the Federal Republic of Germany? It exists because...
Deutsch: Warum gibt es die 5 %-Hürde im Wahlgesetz der Bundesrepublik Deutschland? Es gibt sie, weil …
Answer options
- many small parties make it difficult to form a government.✓ Correct answer
- the small parties do not have so much money to pay the politicians.
- the programs of many small parties have many things in common.
- citizens can lose their bearings with many small parties.
Explanation
In the Federal Republic of Germany, the electoral law regulates how parties can enter the Bundestag. An important rule is the 5% hurdle. It stipulates that a party must receive at least five percent of the votes in order to get seats in parliament. This rule arose from historical experience and is intended to have an impact on the composition of parliament and the formation of stable governments. The question helps to understand why this rule was introduced.
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