‘I googled it first’

On 20 February 2024, the Citizens' Assembly 'Nutrition in Transition 'submitted its recommendations to the then President of the Bundestag, Bärbel Bas, and the parliamentary groups in the Bundestag. The proposals included free lunches in nurseries and schools, healthy food without VAT and better animal welfare labelling.

Two years later, none of the recommendations made by the mini-public have been implemented. We asked assembly participants Karen Bömelburg from Alveslohe and Biggy Kewitsch from Quedlinburg about this.

‘I never heard of the Citizens' Assembly before’

Question: Ms Bömelburg, Ms Kewitsch, you were participants in the Citizens' Assembly on ‘Nutrition in Transition’ in 2023 and 2024. What did you think when you received the invitation and were actually able to attend in the end?

Karen Bömelburg: When I received the invitation from the then President of the Bundestag, Bärbel Bas, to become one of the 160 members of the first Citizens' Assembly of the German Bundestag, I first googled it because I had never heard of the Citizens' Assembly on Nutrition before. What I read about it sounded interesting, and the big topic of ‘food’ also appealed to me. However, I didn't think I had much chance of being selected, as only 160 people could be chosen from the 19,327 who applied.

When I was finally selected, I was naturally delighted. I was curious about the other participants. We were supposed to represent a cross-section of the population. I was also curious to see how we would all work together constructively and purposefully.

‘I was sceptical about whether my vote would count’

Biggy Kewitsch: At first, I was surprised – and, to be honest, a little sceptical about whether my vote would really count. When I was selected, I saw it as a great opportunity: the chance to work with a wide variety of people on such an important issue for the future and to play a concrete role in shaping democracy.

Question: How did you experience the Citizens' Assembly? What do you remember most?

Kewitsch: I found the Citizens' Assembly to be a very respectful and constructive process. People from very different backgrounds engaged in serious dialogue with one another. I was particularly impressed by how nuanced and responsible the discussions were – and how willing everyone was to seek compromise.

‘The Citizens' Assembly is a great tool’

Bömelburg: The Citizens' Assembly was and is a great tool where every individual should contribute their opinions and ideas. I deliberately say “should” because everyone was really asked for their opinion. The work itself was exciting, challenging, but above all very informative, as we covered such a wide range of topics related to the broad theme of ‘nutrition’. Despite our different views, we discussed things in a very respectful and, above all, appreciative manner.

We had a work assignment from the Bundestag and a deadline to meet. We managed to work together in such a goal-oriented and compromise-ready manner that we were able to deliver a result that was good for us.

The work continues

Question: What happened after the Citizens' Assembly? And what was your role in it?

Kewitsch: After submitting the citizens' report, we didn't just walk away. Some of us still meet online once a month to discuss how we can continue to bring our recommendations to the public and politicians. I am particularly involved in the area of education and awareness-raising.

At the local level, individual members have already been able to provide concrete impetus and initiate discussions – decision-making processes are often more direct there. At the federal level, however, no recommendations have been implemented so far. That is precisely why we believe it is important to stay on the ball and continue the dialogue.

‘We're staying on the ball’

Bömelburg: After the citizens' report was handed over, some of the recommendations were discussed in the Committee on Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. I was also allowed to participate. We received requests for interviews. Since there was no networking among the participants after the end of the Citizens' Assembly, I took over this task.

Among other things, we set up a WhatsApp group. We also meet online once a month to discuss what we can do to ensure that our recommendations, which were formulated at the instigation of the German Bundestag, do not disappear into oblivion. We are simply staying on the ball! We are signalling to politicians that it is important to us that our recommendations are also dealt with constructively by them.

Behaviour of MPs difficult to understand

Question: None of the nine recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly have been implemented so far. Are you disappointed about this? What is the current state of affairs?

Bömelburg: Disappointed is not the right word for me, rather incomprehension. Because there was a clear mandate from the German Bundestag, which we fulfilled. I find it difficult to understand why the MPs are not dealing with our recommendations more intensively.

During the last legislative period, some recommendations were discussed in the committees, such as the age limit for the sale of energy drinks, the implementation of which would not incur any costs. There was also a consensus on the ‘mandatory transfer of edible food by food retailers’, for which only a legal anchor would need to be created. I don't understand why nothing is happening here.

On a positive note, the citizens' report on the Citizens' Assembly on Nutrition has been referred back to the Committee on Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for further consultation in the new Parliament. But at the moment, nothing seems to be happening.

Recommendations remain an issue

It is encouraging that there are some politicians in Berlin who are still raising our recommendations in Parliament. There are also many organisations that, like us, are staying on the ball.

Kewitsch: Of course it's disappointing – especially because many of the recommendations were discussed in committees. So there was attention, but so far no concrete implementation. This leaves many of those involved with the feeling that their commitment is not having enough impact. At the same time, I continue to hope that the groundwork was not in vain and that political steps will follow.

‘Clear political commitment is important’

Question: What should be done better in future citizens' assemblies?

Bömelburg: Firstly, it should be clear to the client in advance how the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly will be dealt with. It would also be ideal to draw up a timetable and communicate clearly with the participants. After all, they want to know what will become of their work.

There should be networking opportunities for assembly members while they are working in the Citizens' Assembly. Spokespersons should also be appointed for the period after the mini-public so that they can answer or forward any queries that may arise.

Kewitsch: It is important to establish clear political commitments in advance: How will the recommendations be handled? When will feedback be provided? What steps are planned? Transparent procedures and comprehensible decisions are crucial to ensure that participation strengthens trust rather than causing frustration.