Final answer:
Proportional representation systems frequently necessitate the formation of coalitions among multiple parties in a legislature to achieve a majority, as no single party is likely to secure enough seats on its own. This can lead to more representative but potentially less stable governments.
Step-by-step explanation:
Proportional representation systems often lead to the formation of coalitions to create a majority. In a proportional representation system, votes are distributed such that multiple parties can gain seats in the legislature, reflecting their share of the vote. This diversity in representation frequently makes it necessary for parties to form coalitions to obtain a majority. Without a coalition, it's challenging for any single party to have the majority necessary to enact legislation and govern effectively.
For example, countries like Ireland and Germany regularly see coalition governments due to their multi-party systems. The 2020 Irish elections saw Fianna Fáil forming a coalition with Fine Gael and the Green Party to govern. Coalition governments, while often reflective of a wider range of political views, can also be fragile. Disagreements among coalition partners can lead to instability, as was seen in the early years of France's Third Republic and is often the case in Italy and Israel today.