Who Voters Elect in the UK, Germany, and Russia
In each country, citizens elect the lower house of the national legislature—the body that forms government, passes laws, and controls the budget.
United Kingdom
- House of Commons (650 MPs).
- First-past-the-post in single-member constituencies.
- Universal suffrage, age 18+. Elections max 5 years (Fixed-term Parliaments Act repealed 2022).
- Prime Minister = leader of majority party/coalition in Commons.
Germany
- Bundestag (currently 736 seats).
- Mixed-member proportional (MMP): 299 constituency (first vote) + state-list (second vote) with 5% threshold.
- Universal suffrage, age 18+. Term 4 years.
- Chancellor elected by Bundestag majority.
Russia
- State Duma (450 deputies).
- Since 2016: 225 single-mandate districts (FPTP) + 225 party-list (5% threshold).
- Universal suffrage, age 18+. Term 5 years (since 2011).
- Dominant-party system (United Russia); opposition access restricted.
What Voters Do Not Directly Elect
| Country | Head of State | Upper House | Judiciary |
|---|
| UK | Monarch (hereditary) | House of Lords (appointed) | Appointed (independent commission) |
| Germany | Federal President (Bundesversammlung) | Bundesrat (state govts) | Elected by Bundestag/Bundesrat |
| Russia | President (direct, 2-term limit* reset 2020) | Federation Council (regional execs/legislators) | Appointed by Federation Council |
*Putin eligible until 2036.
So: voters choose the legislative engine; executives and upper chambers are derived or appointed.
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