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Doc. 8162
6 July 1998
Citizens' commitment to the political process
Motion for a resolution
presented by Mr Sören Lekberg and others
This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it |
1. To deepen democracy and to legitimise and enhance citizens' commitment to the political process is an important part of the activities of the Council of Europe.
2. Within the member states of the Council of Europe there are different types of election systems. In some countries, a system of proportional elections is the norm; in other member states, a system of first past the post in single member constituencies is used; other countries use a combination of a system of proportional elections and elections conducted on the majority representation system.
3. In the effort to develop and enhance democracy, it would be helpful for older and newer democracies if the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe took the initiative to study and make a comparative analysis of the effects of the different election systems which exist today in the member states, concerning in particular:
- representation of minorities;
- representation of the different regions and political cultures within a country;
- equal representation of men and women;
- ability to produce clear majorities which have a clear legitimacy to govern;
- election turn-out of citizens.
4. The Assembly considers that such a study would be an important contribution to the ongoing debate in member states on the best way to shape and to optimise the election system in order to increase democracy, to improve the representativity of the parliament and to enhance the influence and participation in the decision-making process of the individual citizen.
Signed : 1
Lekberg, Sweden, SOC
Andnor, Sweden, SOC
Calner, Sweden, SOC
Dagys, Lithuania, SOC
Fogas, Slovakia, SOC
Gross, Switzerland, SOC
Jansson, Finland, LDR
Magnusson, Sweden, SOC
Myrvoll, Norway, UEL
Squarcialupi, Italy, SOC