Changing the Electoral System in the Function of Strengthening Democratic Process

The electoral system has an impact on the country’s party and political sys- tem. The current system does not allow citizens of the Republic of Slovenia to directly influence the composition of the National Assembly; it does not en- courage within-party democracy; it does not allow voters to punish potential poor performance of an individual member of the parliament; and it limits the independence of the legislative branch of power in relation to the execu- tive branch. In most cases, the current electoral system has resulted in a frag- mented parliament, consequently to weak governments with smaller reform potential. It reduces the behaviour of the coalition majority in the parliament primarily to the role of the government’s voting machine. Awareness of the need to replace the electoral system is broadly present among scholars, but less supported by the political elite. New electoral law should be tailor-made to respond to the main shortcomings of the electoral system in the Republic of Slovenia. Otherwise, the change will fail to produce the desired results and disappointment will ensue.

Key words: electoral system, influence on the party system, legitimacy, rule of law, electoral system reform.