The thresholds, which are generally expressed as a percentage of registered electors or of voters, are a matter for the discretion of the legislature. However, the role played by the thresholds differs depending on how high they have been set and on the party system existing in each country. The choice of a low threshold eliminates only very small parties, which makes it more difficult to build stable majorities in assemblies. Where there is strong fragmentation of the party system, a high threshold results in the exclusion from representation of a substantial proportion of votes.
Examples of thresholds adopted for the election of lower houses
- Netherlands: obtaining 0.67% of the votes cast at national level. - Israel: obtaining 1% of the votes cast at national level. - Bulgaria: obtaining 4% of the votes cast at national level. - Liechtenstein: obtaining 8% of the votes cast at national level. - Denmark: obtaining 2% of the votes cast at national level or obtaining a specific number of votes in two of the three geographical areas of the country. - Germany: obtaining 5% of the votes cast at national level or obtaining three direct mandates. - Sweden: obtaining 4% of the votes cast at national level or 12% of the votes cast in the basic constituency in which the seat is awarded.
