Heerma postpones bill on remainder seats in local elections

Dutch Interior Minister Pieter Heerma has postponed a bill that would require parties to win at least one seat before qualifying for a remainder seat in local and regional elections. He says research suggests the change would do little to reduce political fragmentation, and wants to consider it alongside other proposals to strengthen local government.

The rule already applies to elections to the House of Representatives. Heerma’s bill would extend it to municipal councils, provincial councils, water boards and island councils.

The proposal was intended to reduce one-member party groups. But Heerma said the expected effects on fragmentation, representation and the number of wasted votes were all limited. He has therefore decided not to proceed with the bill in isolation and will wait for wider discussions on local government reforms.

The delay does not change the rules for local and regional elections; the bill has been put on hold, not enacted.