The minimum-based procedure: A principled way to allocate seats in the European Parliament

This work proposes the minimum-based procedure for the allocation of seats in the European Parliament taking into account the criticism of the Cambridge Compromise proposal. The procedure is underpinned by the (base + strict prop) system which only allocates a minimum number of seats to the Member States. The degree (effective maximum number) and type (distribution of remaining seats) of degressivity remain essentially a political decision.

► The division of Member States is the greatest weakness of the Cambridge Compromise. ► Degressivity can be introduced through base seats and a non-linear function. ► The (base + strict prop) system provides a minimum allocation of seats. ► The minimum-based procedure automatically corrects violations of degressive proportionality.