The current process of constituting a new parliament necessitates a review of the foundational constitutional architecture of the state, as this framework is currently under scrutiny. The challenge being tested extends beyond the immediate will of any single political party. To understand this structural test, it is useful to reference the work of Dutch political scientist Arend Lijphart, who outlines two primary models for modern democracies.
The majoritarian model concentrates power in the winning party; governance and decision-making are vested in whoever secures a clear majority. Conversely, Lijphart proposes the consensual model, which is specifically designed for societies characterized by deep divisions—be they ethnic, political, or historical. In this structure, power is deliberately shared among rival blocs to prevent any single faction from achieving dominance over the others.
The relevance of these models becomes critical when assessing the current political climate. The question arises as to which framework best suits the nation’s composition. It is important to recognize that the stability of the system depends not merely on the formation of a simple majority in the parliament.
Instead, the longevity of governance hinges on adherence to constitutional principles that mandate power-sharing mechanisms. Therefore, understanding the parameters of consensus is crucial when determining how the state will function when majoritarian outcomes prove insufficient for national cohesion.
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