Catalogue question 127 · Question catalogue in force since 2024-07-01
Why does the 5% threshold exist in the electoral law of the Federal Republic of Germany? It exists because …
- the manifestos of many small parties have a lot in common.
- citizens can lose orientation with many small parties.
- many small parties make forming a government more difficult. Correct
- small parties do not have enough money to pay politicians.
Why — for every option
- A — Whether party manifestos have things in common is not a legal reason for the threshold clause.
- B — Voter orientation is a secondary aspect, but not the central, constitutionally recognised purpose of the 5% threshold.
- C — Correct: the 5% threshold is meant to prevent excessive fragmentation of parties in the Bundestag, as happened in the Weimar Republic, which led to unstable governments and made forming a government harder — the goal is a functional, stable government.
- D — A party's financial strength is not a reason for the threshold clause; party financing is separately regulated in the Party Act.
Source: www.gesetze-im-internet.de
Last checked: · Question catalogue in force since 2024-07-01 · Every figure on this page is checked against its primary source.