Publication Type

Book Chapter

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

2-2006

Abstract

Hungary has a particularly complicated electoral system: a type of mixed system that incorporates three tiers of seat allocation, the use of a proportional allocation formula, and the allocation of a number of seats by a two-round system in single-member constituencies. Examination of the strategic incentives facing parties explains some surprising outcomes, such as the majoritarian impact on the party system and the possibility of the second strongest party in votes becoming the strongest in seats. Despite its complexity and alleged shortcomings, it is unlikely to be abandoned; it serves the interests of the largest parties, and these effectively wield a veto over electoral reform.

Keywords

Electoral reform, Hungarian politics, Majoritarianism, Mixed system, Proportional representation, Two-round system

Discipline

Eastern European Studies | Political Science

Research Areas

Political Science

Publication

The politics of electoral systems

Editor

Michael Gallagher & Paul Mitchell

First Page

231

Last Page

252

ISBN

9780199257560

Identifier

10.1093/0199257566.003.0011

Publisher

Oxford University Press

City or Country

Oxford

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1093/0199257566.003.0011

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