In Germany, ususally bills are discussed by smaller subsets of the parliament in committees.
Parties then decide on a party line for the vote.
Thus, most often the result would not be different if everybody was there.
Edit: Also, because of limited time, commitee meetings may actually be held while there are votes. So it does make sense.
NB:
The German parliament however can technically not decide anything if not enough members are present. However, usually attendees are not counted. Parties can demand a named vote though, which is counted.
One party demanded that once, and it was almost universially called 'unfair' [1]. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Parties then decide on a party line for the vote.
Thus, most often the result would not be different if everybody was there.
Edit: Also, because of limited time, commitee meetings may actually be held while there are votes. So it does make sense.
NB: The German parliament however can technically not decide anything if not enough members are present. However, usually attendees are not counted. Parties can demand a named vote though, which is counted. One party demanded that once, and it was almost universially called 'unfair' [1]. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
[1] (in German) http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/posse-um-hammelspr...