The 2024 legislative elections in France revealed a unique scenario under the Fifth Republic, with the emergence of three blocs that were numerically close but defending radically incompatible political programs. These blocs were unable to reach compromises necessary to form a true majority, or an absolute majority. This highlighted the limitations of the two-round majoritarian electoral system, which was effective when political competition was binary but proved inadequate when the electoral spectrum was divided among three roughly equal forces.
These observations have reignited debates on the choice of the legislative electoral system. Should France maintain the current majoritarian system or introduce a true proportional representation system? The flaws of the traditional majoritarian system are numerous. Firstly, it often creates an artificial divide between two ways of approaching national policies, leading to confrontation and a lack of possible compromises. Additionally, the exclusive focus on an ethic of conviction rather than an ethic of responsibility in proposed programs often leads to a perception that government officials are betraying their promises in the face of real-world necessities.
Secondly, the majoritarian system often yields large and unrepresentative majorities that exclude significant portions of the country’s political forces. This has historically affected both extreme right and centrist movements. There is also a risk of extremists seizing power, whether from the far right or far left, leading voters to make strategic decisions to prevent this outcome, resulting in unclear electoral outcomes. The immediate threat to democracy may be averted, but the representativeness of the political landscape is compromised.
Given these concerns, should France deliberately opt for a fully proportional representation system, as advocated by many political observers and constitutionalists in the current context? While such a system would eliminate the risk of extremist parties controlling power, proportional representation has its own limitations and challenges. It requires the formation of coalitions, which can be time-consuming, and can potentially give disproportionate influence to pivotal or extreme groups based on their electoral weight.
One example is Israel, where proportional representation has led to significant influence by fringe parties. Overall, the choice between the majoritarian and proportional representation systems in legislative elections carries implications for governance, representation, and the balance of power. The debate surrounding the best electoral system for France reflects broader discussions on democracy and the functioning of political institutions in a multi-party context. Ultimately, the decision will impact the formation of governments, the ability to enact policies, and the representation of diverse political voices in the legislature.
