European elections: two-percent hurdle to be introduced in Germany

The German government has approved a 2018 decision by the Council of the European Union to introduce a blocking minority in European elections. This blocking minority is also called the percent hurdle. The cabinet decided on a draft EU Election Consent Act submitted by the Federal Ministry of the Interior. For Germany’s consent to take effect, two-thirds of the members of the Bundestag must still vote in favor. It also requires two-thirds of the votes of the Bundesrat.