Overview

• The FDP's proposed referendum, titled 'Prevent XXL-Landtag,' seeks to reduce Baden-Württemberg's electoral districts from 70 to 38 to curb parliamentary expansion.
• The Interior Ministry had previously rejected the referendum, deeming it unconstitutional, but the constitutional court disagreed and approved its legality.
• The FDP argues the current system risks excessive growth in the state parliament, potentially exceeding 200 members, which could lead to significant cost increases.
• The new electoral system, introduced in 2022, combines direct mandates with proportional representation, leading to overhang and compensatory mandates that inflate the parliament's size.
• Despite the court's approval, procedural timelines make it unlikely that the referendum will impact the 2026 state elections.