**What is the significance of the electoral threshold in some parliamentary systems?**
The electoral threshold is the minimum percentage of votes that a political party must receive to gain representation in a parliament. It serves to stabilize legislative systems by preventing the fragmentation of the party system into numerous small parties. By requiring parties to reach a certain threshold, it encourages broader alliances and fosters coalition governments. This can lead to more governable majorities and facilitate legislative decision-making. However, excessively high thresholds may disenfranchise smaller parties, potentially reducing political diversity and limiting voters’ options.