Ruling party, minor opposition parties agree to strengthen proportional representation
- 5 years ago
The ruling and three minor opposition parties in South Korea have reached a compromise over the details of electoral reform after hours of talks on Sunday.
But, the passage of the bill isn't expected to be easy.
Kim Min-ji reports.
South Korea's ruling party and three minor opposition parties have agreed on a draft for an electoral reform bill,... in a way that strengthens proportional representation.
After marathon negotiations,... the parties decided to leave the number of parliamentary seats as it is at 300,... but will increase the number of proportional seats to 75.
Currently, there are 2-hundred-53 seats that go to the individual candidate who gets the most votes in his or her district,... while the other 47 are based on nationwide vote by party preference.
"Given public concerns, and the fact the main opposition Liberty Korea Party did not take part in the negotiations, we've decided leave the number of parliamentary seats at 300. Although it falls short of the election watchdog's recommendation to have the ratio between constituencies and proportional representation at 2:1,... we have come up with a system that will guarantee proportional representation is the maximum we can get it."
The issue has become a major sticking point at the National Assembly,... with general elections taking place in April next year -- and parties are required to redraw the electoral map one year prior to the elections.
The four parties are seeking to fast-track the bill as they haven't got support from the main opposition Liberty Korea Party.
If the bill is fast-tracked, it can automatically be put to a vote without approval by a relevant standing committee after a maximum of 330 days.
However, it's expected to be a bumpy ride,... as the main opposition has strongly criticized the draft -- and vowed all efforts to block it.
Members within the minor parties have also expressed criticism against the agreement,... out of concerns it will cut down the number of constituencies they currently hold.
Kim Min-ji, Arirang News.
But, the passage of the bill isn't expected to be easy.
Kim Min-ji reports.
South Korea's ruling party and three minor opposition parties have agreed on a draft for an electoral reform bill,... in a way that strengthens proportional representation.
After marathon negotiations,... the parties decided to leave the number of parliamentary seats as it is at 300,... but will increase the number of proportional seats to 75.
Currently, there are 2-hundred-53 seats that go to the individual candidate who gets the most votes in his or her district,... while the other 47 are based on nationwide vote by party preference.
"Given public concerns, and the fact the main opposition Liberty Korea Party did not take part in the negotiations, we've decided leave the number of parliamentary seats at 300. Although it falls short of the election watchdog's recommendation to have the ratio between constituencies and proportional representation at 2:1,... we have come up with a system that will guarantee proportional representation is the maximum we can get it."
The issue has become a major sticking point at the National Assembly,... with general elections taking place in April next year -- and parties are required to redraw the electoral map one year prior to the elections.
The four parties are seeking to fast-track the bill as they haven't got support from the main opposition Liberty Korea Party.
If the bill is fast-tracked, it can automatically be put to a vote without approval by a relevant standing committee after a maximum of 330 days.
However, it's expected to be a bumpy ride,... as the main opposition has strongly criticized the draft -- and vowed all efforts to block it.
Members within the minor parties have also expressed criticism against the agreement,... out of concerns it will cut down the number of constituencies they currently hold.
Kim Min-ji, Arirang News.