Proportional representation is an electoral system where parties gain seats in the legislature in proportion to the number of votes they receive. This means that if a party receives 30% of the votes, it should ideally get about 30% of the seats. This system aims to reflect the diverse opinions of the electorate more accurately than winner-takes-all systems.
There are various methods of implementing proportional representation, such as the D'Hondt method or the Sainte-Laguë method. Many countries, including Sweden and New Zealand, use this system to ensure that smaller parties have a fair chance of representation, promoting a more inclusive political landscape.