1. On the risks of moving to a mixed electoral system in Moldova

The explanatory statement of the submitted draft proposal refers to the fact that mixed electoral systems exist in different countries, such as Ukraine, Romania or Germany. However, the practical consequences of similar electoral systems can vary, since party systems, institutional structures or social environment are always different. In other countries, the choice of a mixed system may be the result of a consensual sovereign decision, and the way in which it is implemented in other cases is key to building trust in the democratic process and to adjust and solve possible concerns accordingly. Germany is a recurrent example in comparative law of a mixed system, which has been able to build trust, but it is unlikely to be comparable with the Republic of Moldova. This is the case not only because of the specifics of the Federal State, the size or the different institutional structure, but also because it is a system of proportional representation, which also includesprovisions for compensation through additional seat distribution to maintain the overall proportionality of the parliament with that of votes received by the political parties.