Proportional representation is a return to the 4th Republic!

Proportional representation, a revived debate

The Prime Minister François Bayrou actively campaigns for the introduction of proportional representation in legislative elections. Since his appointment to Matignon, this subject has returned to the forefront, paving the way for an expected debate. A simple law would suffice to organize this voting system.

Before the Sénat, François Bayrou praised the pluralism it guarantees to all citizens. He thus ensures that everyone can be represented to the extent of their commitment and their vote. The Prime Minister pleads for the 1986 voting system, an exception in the history of the Ve République where deputies are mostly elected by two-round first-past-the-post voting.

Consultations and divergent positions

On April 30, François Bayrou began his consultations with the political parties and groups of the Parlement. He notably received the representatives of the Rassemblement National, Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella. Marine Le Pen declared: "Proportional representation as a voting system, full by department, as in 1986, seems to us to be a lesser evil compared to a majority system which today does not allow every French voice to be heard."

The MoDem, the parties of the Nouveau Front populaire (NFP) and the RN support this reform. The Parti socialiste sees in it an opportunity to escape a forced coalition with LFI. On the other hand, Macron's loyalists remain divided. Les Républicains and Horizons firmly oppose it, attached to the Gaullist heritage of the Ve République.

The modalities of proportional representation are multiple and remain to be specified.

In the absence of a parliamentary majority, President Macron could consider a referendum on this subject in 2025. François-Xavier Bellamy believes: "The deputies of our political family in the Assemblée nationale, who were elected by majority vote, despite the political crisis, won their election because they had the trust of the French people who elected them. This is the democratic form that seems fair to me."

Criticisms and conclusions

All the right-wing parties questioned oppose the introduction of proportional representation. LR and Éric Ciotti's UDR are totally opposed to it, arguing that it distances citizens from their representatives. They also fear uncertain results, which do not guarantee a clear majority for a party or a coalition.

The experience of full proportional representation in 1986 had led to the defeat of the PS and the victory of the RPR. Experts conclude that proportional representation does not provide an answer to the current political dispersion. For some, it is a matter of destroying the spirit of the Ve République in favor of a return to the IVe. In reality, the single-member majority vote remains the best solution for France.