The german Bundestag (federal level) election rules can be roughly summarized like this: Each voter gets two votes, one for a candidate and a second for a part

The german Bundestag (federal level) election rules can be roughly summarized like this: Each voter gets two votes, one for a candidate and a second for a party list. Half of the members of the Bundestag are elected by direct vote. The candidate in the election district that gets the most votes is elected. The other half are distributed so that the total distribution matches the distribution for the party list. A party that fails to accumulate at least 5% doesn't get any seats from the second vote, but gets to keep any direct seats they gained, unless they win a minimum number of direct candidates. If a party wins more direct candidates in a state than their share of votes per party list would allow for, the Bundestag grows and more seats are distributed to balance the proportion. The system is designed to allow for direct candidates, but still keeps smaller parties relevant since any party that gets beyond 5% or manages to win direct candidates is part of the Bundestag. (grossly simplified, but probably good enough for here)