German Elections: Second vote confuses

BONN - 'Everybody knows the difference between the first and second vote.

There has been a lot of talk about it on the radio and television,' was the verdict of Ute Grube, the official responsible for district polling station No 70, in Victoriastrasse primary school at Troisdorf, north of Bonn, writes Steve Crawshaw.

Her optimism may have been unwarranted. Germans were entitled to two votes in yesterday's elections to the federal parliament. But many emerging from her polling station did not realise that, because of the complexities of the electoral system, the 'second vote' is the one that determines parliament's make-up.

A recent poll suggested about half of all voters are confused; yesterday's straw poll would confirm that. Several thought the second vote was only for 'adjustments'.

On the ballot paper, a note explains that it 'determines the overall distribution of seats', while the first vote chooses a specific constituency candidate. Misunderstandings were potentially crucial yesterday. Some have suggested the votes be renamed.