Debates

The debate on the recognition of the blank vote opposes two visions of democracy. On the one hand, its supporters believe that counting the blank vote as a vote cast would strengthen the legitimacy of the electoral process: it would make it possible to clearly distinguish citizens who refuse the proposed candidates from those who abstain, and would force parties to better respond to public expectations. On the other hand, its opponents fear that this recognition will weaken political stability: a large volume of blank votes could make it more difficult to obtain a majority, create repeated elections or promote institutional deadlock. Some also believe that the blank vote is already a sufficient form of symbolic expression.