Small parties can join the European Parliament due to the absence of a hindrance stipulation.

Small parties can join the European Parliament due to the absence of a hindrance stipulation.

Unlike in Germany's Bundestag or state elections, there isn't a minimum threshold (minimum percentage of votes that must be earned to be represented in the European Parliament) during European elections. In theory, even a tiny fraction of the votes (less than one percent) could send a representative.

As per ARD and ZDF's estimations, Volt could potentially win 2-3 seats, while the Free Voters might secure the same amount depending on the calculation. The Animal Welfare Party could possibly get 1-2 seats, and the Family Party and ODP one each. Consistent forecasts predict that The Satire Party - Die Partei will receive two seats, similar to the 2019 European elections.

This wide range of representation in parliament is due to a ruling by the Federal Constitutional Court in 2011. It determined that the five-percent threshold for European elections went against the fairness of political parties, making it unconstitutional. However, there are ongoing efforts to reinstate this threshold.

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1. In contrast to the Bundestag elections in Germany, a 'blocking clause' isn't imposed during the European elections, allowing small parties like the ÖDP to potentially secure representation in the European Parliament.
2. During the European elections, extrapolation methods are often used to forecast the number of seats for various parties, including the Free Woters (FW) and the Animal Welfare Party.
3. Thanks to the absence of a minimum threshold in European elections, even small parties like the Small Party ÖDP could potentially win seats, similar to Sunday's results in the European Parliament.
4. The estimated votes for the Liberal party Volt in the upcoming European elections could potentially enable them to capture 2-3 seats, while the Family Party and ÖDP might gain one each.
5. The forthcoming European elections could see the reelection of The Satire Party - Die Partei, thanks to their success in achieving two seats in the previous election, despite being a small party.
6. The absence of a minimum threshold during European elections has also allowed parties like the Green League and the Pirate Party to make their mark in the European Parliament, demonstrating the diversity of representation.
7. Ongoing efforts to reintroduce a minimum threshold in European elections could potentially restrict the representation of small parties like the ÖDP, altering the political landscape of the European Parliament.

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