Sociologický ústav AV ČR, v.v.i.

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Abstract: Due to the longstanding situation in which the Czech Republic has experienced a series of unstable minority governments, serious debate has arisen over the need for changes to be introduced into the electoral system. This paper attempts to find a suitable alternative of the representational system, one capable of ushering in a period of government stability, by modelling the results of the elections held in
1996 and 1998. The aim is to determine which type of proportional electoral system could transform the party system in such a manner so as to render it capable of setting up a “monochromatic” or two-party majority coalition government. The method of modelling the election results is rooted in an exact calculation of specific election results by applying particular mathematical formulas to examples of various sizes of
electoral constituencies. This paper reaches three possible solutions, one of which appears to be exceptionally effective. A number of options have been worked out in the paper whereby on the basis of the implementation of the proposed electoral system, the system of political parties in the Czech Republic could be reconstructed. A description and brief evaluation of the proposal for changing the electoral system made by the two largest political parties in January 2000, which is also grounded in making modifications to the representational system, is adjoined to the overall treatise as an actual addendum.