"Citizens' assembly has proven its worth"

Four out of five Germans welcome citizens' assemblies as an instrument of democracy. And the first citizens' assembly appointed by the Bundestag, "Nutrition in Transition", was "successful in the sense of the decision to set it up". These are two key findings of an evaluation report that has been presented by the Institute for Democracy and Participation Research (IDPF) at the University of Wuppertal and the opinion research and consulting institute Verian on 3 July 2024.

"The Citizens' Assembly instrument has proven its worth in its first major practical test. And the report contains some clever suggestions for improvement for future citizens' assemblies," explains Roman Huber, Managing Director of the Mehr Demokratie organisation. We can build on this.

High approval rating for citizens' assemblies

The researchers measured a "high level of approval for the citizens' assembly format" among the population. Four-fifths of those surveyed consider the establishment of the Citizens' Assembly "Nutrition in Transition" to be a "very good" or "fairly good" idea. As many as 85 per cent are in favour of the Bundestag appointing citizens' assemblies on other topics in future.

Many participants in the first Citizens' Assembly also drew a positive balance: 96 per cent agreed with the statement that, all in all, the Citizens' Assembly was a positive personal experience for them.

Citizens' Assembly has provided answers

In its decision to set up the mini-public, the Bundestag had formulated questions to which the Citizens' Assembly had actually provided answers. The Citizens' Assembly thus successfully and completely fulfilled its task. Overall, the report also assesses the organisation of this first Citizens' Assembly positively, even if it identifies some potential for improvement for any future Citizens' Assemblies. For example, migrants were underrepresented in the Citizens' Assembly on Nutrition. According to the researchers, this problem could be solved through outreach activities. This means that potential participants are motivated to take part in a personal dialogue and their doubts are taken seriously.

Second report sets out proposals for improvement

A second evaluation report published on 21 August 2026 no longer focuses primarily on the quality of the deliberations within the Citizens’ Assembly itself, but rather on the crucial follow-up question: what happened to the recommendations in the Bundestag afterwards? The report examined the transparency and fairness of the parliamentary process, the Bundestag’s response, political impacts, media coverage and the longer-term impact on the participants.

• The Citizens’ Assembly was taken seriously by parliament. The Citizens’ Report was debated in plenary, referred to committees and examined in greater depth in a number of expert discussions. The evaluation gives an overwhelmingly positive assessment of the transparency, fairness and the Bundestag’s fundamental willingness to respond.
• No concrete political implementation could be demonstrated during the period under review. Whilst recommendations were taken up in motions and debates, none had led to a political decision by that point. However, the premature end of the parliamentary term limits the scope of this assessment.
• The Citizens’ Assembly had a particular impact on political and public debate. It heightened awareness of food policy issues already under discussion and was used to underpin political demands. However, there were no major shifts in the positions of the parliamentary groups.
• Clear positive effects were evident amongst the participants. Many reported an increased interest in politics, a better understanding of other viewpoints and a greater ability to engage with those who hold different views. At the same time, many were disappointed with the political follow-up to the recommendations.
• For future citizens’ assemblies, the evaluation recommends, above all, more time and clearer follow-up procedures. Citizens’ assemblies should be convened early in the parliamentary term; it should be established at the time of their convening how the Bundestag will proceed with the recommendations. Furthermore, follow-up, administrative capacities and dialogue between MPs and participants should be strengthened on a permanent basis.

How was the Citizens’ Assembly evaluated?

The evaluation of the Citizens’ Assembly on Nutrition‘ consists of two parts. The first part examined how well the mini public itself functioned. The evaluation team observed the deliberations. It interviewed the participants on several occasions. It also held discussions with those involved and interviewed people outside the Citizens’ Assembly.

The second part examined the impact of the Citizens’ Assembly. Its members were interviewed again for this purpose. The team held discussions with Members of Parliament and observed the proceedings in the Bundestag. It also analysed Bundestag debates, motions and other documents. This involved assessing whether and how the recommendations were taken up politically. Media coverage and activity on social media were also examined.

The study thus examines both the work of the Citizens’ Assembly and its subsequent political and social consequences.

The Bundestag’s first Citizens’ Assembly

The Citizens' Assembly "Nutrition in Transition" was the first mini-public appointed by the Bundestag. It was attended by 160 randomly selected citizens. At the end of February 2024, the Citizens' Assembly presented its recommendations to the members of the German Bundestag in the form of a citizens' report.

The most important demand is a free lunch for all children in schools and nurseries. Other demands include a state label for climate, animal welfare and health and a reform of food taxation.