There is a debate now in Canada about some form of proportional
representation. The options are something like Russell's description
of NZ, some form of run off election (vote until you have a majority).
there are several other possibilities so elected parties get some form
of electoral proportion weighted vote.

There is a push to increase the value of party platforms as part of
the election of a government.

In Canada currently the candidate with the most votes wins the seat
which means that frequently the candidate with the most votes
does not have the a major of the votes cast  and governments
with majorities of members can be created with less than a
majority of support. (Federally Canada has 4 real political parties)

w...

Russell McMahon wrote:

> >> What democratic countries other than the UK, US and Canada can
> >> representatives get elected with less than a majority of the votes
> >> cast?
>
> > New Zealand. Coalition is sometimes required.
>
> I don't think that's what he meant. Nowadays in NZ with our fully
> proportional "MMP" system you NEED a majority and may form it by
> coalition.


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