A parliamentary vote is the most direct link between citizens and policy-makers, and can be the most effective way to express opinions about draft laws. Citizens should be given access to this process, and to information about the positions their MP or parliamentary group takes on these issues.
Most parliamentary systems involve a plurality system (first past the post) in which voters choose an individual candidate to represent their constituency. Voters in some countries, such as Canada, India and Australia also use a proportional representation voting system in which they rank candidates in order of preference. The candidate with the most first preference votes wins. The other candidates’ excess votes are transferred to their second preferences. This process continues until a candidate gains more than 50 per cent of the total number of first preference votes.
Parliamentary systems allow all parties, large and small, to receive representation and to participate in the decision-making process. This helps to minimize the tensions that arise when all power is in one person’s hands, as is the case with a presidential system.
In many parliamentary systems the head of state, such as the monarch in Norway or the President in Estonia, only has a symbolic veto power, and cannot overturn a law that has passed through parliament. The governing party or coalition then selects the Prime Minister and other members of the Cabinet. The Monarch then approves the cabinet by royal assent, unless disapproved by a majority of the Riigikogu.