Brian Mefford: Reforming Ukraine’s electoral system

Following the Russian annexation of Crimea in March of this year and early presidential election in May, Ukraine plans to hold parliamentary elections this autumn (most likely in October). During the previous election, half of the members of parliament were elected in districts (similar to an American congressional district) and the other half by party lists for those parties which received at least five percent of the vote nationwide. There is now a debate on which system is best for Ukraine to use and if the system should be changed to the 2004 Constitution. This Constitutional change switched Ukraine to a closed party list system which was used in 2006 and 2007. Parliament voted in February to return to the 2004 Constitution with a majority – but not overwhelning – vote. Currently there is a political debate in Parliament over which system to use for the autumn elections. This debate centers primarily around three ideas: closed party list system, open party list system or the status quo (50/50 system). It is also possible that the Constitutional Court may yet weigh in on this decision. Given that President Poroshenko has called for autumn elections, time is short and consensus decisions must be made quickly.