(de-news.net) – Gregor Gysi, a senior figure in the Left Party, has advocated comprehensive reforms to Germany’s electoral framework and justice system, maintaining that democratic institutions must be reinforced to stem the growing influence of right-wing populism. He emphasized that unless democracy and the rule of law are rendered more credible, transparent, and accessible to citizens, significant political risks are likely to emerge.

As part of this agenda, Gysi advanced a series of concrete measures intended to expand voter autonomy and improve institutional openness. Central among these was his proposal to separate the ballots for first and second votes in federal elections, a change he justified by pointing to widespread voter misconceptions that both votes must be cast for the same party. In addition, he supported introducing mechanisms that would allow voters to weight individual candidates in Bundestag elections, thereby enabling candidates to be moved up or down party lists, a system that is already established in many local elections. He argued that such changes would disrupt entrenched informal negotiation circles across parties, where list positions are traditionally arranged, and would consequently alter internal parliamentary dynamics.

In parallel with these electoral reforms, Gysi called for a systematic expansion of direct democracy at the federal level. He proposed that every Bundestag election be accompanied by nationwide referendums, with each parliamentary group granted the right to submit one constitutionally compliant question requiring a yes-or-no response. According to this model, the Chancellor elected alongside the Bundestag would be obliged to respect and implement the outcomes of these referendums throughout the ensuing legislative period.