What system is used to allocate seats under the party list proportional representation?

The D'hondt system is a mathematical formula used in party list proportional representation to allocate seats in a way that reflects the proportion of votes each party receives. This system divides the total number of votes received by each party by a series of divisors (1, 2, 3, etc.) to create a ranking of those quotients. Seats are then allocated to the parties in the order of the highest quotients until all available seats are filled.

This method benefits larger parties slightly, but it is designed to ensure that the distribution of seats corresponds closely to the distribution of votes. As a result, smaller parties also have opportunities to gain seats, making the system more representative of the electorate as a whole.

Understanding how the D'hondt system operates clarifies why it is favored in circumstances where proportional representation is desired, allowing for a fairer representation of diverse political views in legislative bodies.