In every electoral district in Germany, several candidates usually compete against each other. The winner of a district is determined through the first vote (“Erststimme”) and receives a direct mandate — meaning a guaranteed seat in parliament.

If a party wins enough seats in parliament, these seats are first filled by candidates who won direct mandates. If the party has won more seats than direct mandates, the remaining seats are filled using candidates from the state party list in order of their ranking.

If a party wins fewer seats than direct mandates, only the direct candidates with the strongest election results in their districts enter parliament.