“Stop uncontrolled growth”: FDP leader Burkart wants to abolish list connections

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The list connections were again the big topic in the elections this year. And they once again had a major impact on the number of seats for the parties. Positive things for the Greens and Green Liberals: They were able to prevent an even greater loss of seats through list connections.

The SP and EDU also benefited from the alliances. For example, the connections turned out to be quite disadvantageous for the FDP. This meant they made fewer seats.

FDP leader Thierry Burkart (48) now wants to initiate important changes with regard to the list connections. This week he submitted two motions aimed at optimizing the existing system and increasing transparency.

Eliminate nonpartisan list connections

With his first initiative, “New allocation procedure and abolition of impartial list connections”, Burkart wants to change the existing allocation procedure for National Council seats within the cantons and make impartial list connections redundant.

The reason: they distorted the will of the voters and significantly compromised the transparency of the electoral system. Burkart further criticizes the possibility for parties to use list connections tactically. And that it is unclear to voters who will ultimately benefit from their vote.

The FDP chairman proposes switching to an allocation procedure with standard rounding. This would eliminate the need for nonpartisan list connections, as all parties would be treated equally regardless of size. However, list connections between parties should still be allowed. This step would not only enhance transparency but also promote equal opportunities between the parties, he said.

Stop the wild growth

However, Burkart wants to stop the proliferation of list connections within the party. This is where his second motion, ‘Stop the proliferation of intra-party lists’, comes into play. The number of lists and candidates has increased exponentially over the past twenty years, which can be attributed to the increased formation of such connections, criticizes the FDP Council of States of Aargau.

This led to confusion among voters and high costs for taxpayers. Burkart calls for the federal law on political rights to be amended accordingly.

Make voting laws more transparent

In his proposal he proposes to limit the number of list connections within the party, for example to three linked lists. This still allows the parties to express different views, while at the same time preventing excessive proliferation.

According to Burkart, this limit is necessary to simplify the voting decision for voters and reduce the financial burden on the state. Overall, both of Burkart’s initiatives aim to make voting law in Switzerland more transparent and efficient.

Source:Blick