Publication

Securing adequate representation of minorities in institutions of the state is an important mechanism for addressing issues of ethnic tensions in culturally diverse societies. A proportional electoral system is generally perceived as more friendly for representation of minority interests than a majoritarian single member district system. The introduction of the former system in a number of post-communist countries encouraged institutionalization of ethnic minority parties. These parties became a permanent part of the political landscape in South Eastern European countries such as Bulgaria and Romania. Moldova did not witness the emergence of electorally successful minority parties, even though political competition in Moldova was relatively unconstrained by authoritarian practices employed throughout the rest of the former Soviet Union.