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Fünfprozenthürde

five-percent hurdle (electoral threshold)

noun fuenf-pro-TSENT-huer-de Rare

Usage Note

Fünfprozenthürde is the colloquial name for Germany's Sperrklausel; a party must win at least 5% of the second votes (Zweitstimmen) nationwide to receive proportional seats in the Bundestag.

Examples

"Ohne die Fünfprozenthürde wäre das Parlament kaum regierbar."

Natural Translation

Without the five-percent hurdle parliament would barely be governable.

Literal Translation

Without the five-percent hurdle would the parliament hardly be governable.

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