Lijstduwer

rdf:langString Lijstduwer

rdf:langString Lijstduwer (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈlɛistˌdyʋər], 'list pusher') is a Dutch term for the last candidate on a party list. In Suriname, the Netherlands and Belgium, this position is often taken by well-known non-politicians such as artists, celebrities and sports people. They are officially a candidate, but they are put at the end of the party list (in an unelectable position) in a bid to attract more votes for the party and as a sign they endorse that specific party. In local elections, ordinary people who are well known in the community might also act as lijstduwer. Since these electoral systems use open list party-list proportional representation, votes cast to the lijstduwer add up to the total number of votes, and hence seats for the party. The candidate is not likely to become a member of the elected body due to the low placement on the list, and generally rejects the position if they gather enough preference votes for a full seat (which they can claim under the Dutch system). There can be more than one lijstduwer. How many members on the list can be considered lijstduwer varies. In the broader definition, candidates who are lower on the list than the number of seats a party is likely to win, are considered lijstduwers. In Israel, which uses a closed list nationwide proportional representation system, the tradition of choosing elder statesmen and celebrities as candidates in the lowest places of the list also exists, but without a special term. As some local elections in Germany have cumulative voting and panachage the last place on the party list is sometimes given to a more prominent or high profile candidate for similar reasons to the phenomenon in the Netherlands. Well-known national politicians can act as lijstduwer on the list for the European and municipal elections.