German President favours Citizens' Assemblies

Germany can draw inspiration from Ireland - e.g. with new forms of citizen participation, such as the citizens' assembly. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said this at the state banquet in honour of Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland, at Bellevue Palace on 3 July 2019.

"We in Germany can also draw inspiration from Ireland - for example when it comes to strengthening our democracy for the future, for example with new forms of citizen participation.

I have followed the work of the Irish Citizens' Assembly with great interest, for example in preparation for the referendum on the right to abortion. Ninety-nine Irish people who did not know each other at all before - students, lorry drivers, teachers, engineers and nurses, a cross-section of society - gathered for this in a Dublin hotel. Supporters and opponents of the constitutional amendment. They talked to each other, exchanged arguments, weighed up the pros and cons.

Democracy needs renewal

"Not exactly the stuff of political revolution", as one daily newspaper commented. And yet these citizens managed to turn one of the most politically and ethically difficult issues from confrontation towards consensus. I think this example can give us courage in the creative power of our democracies. Or, as one newspaper headlined: "You have shown the world what democrats can achieve with a little ingenuity."

I am convinced that democracy needs such impulses of renewal. All over Europe, including here in this country, we can feel that democracy is changing. But it is not on the brink of extinction - on the contrary: the political interest, the will to shape things, the expectations, especially among young people, are enormous. I hope that our democracy will not succeed in pushing away this commitment, but rather in taking it up and integrating it. To this end, I wish those who bear responsibility today - in parties, parliaments, governments - the necessary confidence and openness not to perceive the new as a threat, but to dare new forms of participation and to pave new paths in politics and political institutions. In short, I wish us in Germany a bit of "Irish courage" too!"

Background

The Citizens’ Assembly in Ireland has an institutional character and has become an important part of the democratic process over the years. The 99 members are randomly selected from the general public. Their role is to discuss key issues in the political debate, such as abortion, the ageing population and climate change. With the help of experts, the participants develop proposals which are submitted to Parliament and, where a constitutional amendment is required, also put to a public vote.

The Irish Citizens’ Assembly was established following the 2011 financial crisis and the resulting loss of public confidence in existing democratic institutions. Since then, the Irish people have voted in referendums on six proposals put forward by the Citizens’ Assembly. They voted in favour of allowing same-sex couples to marry and for the repeal of the ban on abortion and the blasphemy law. A proposal to lower the minimum age for presidential candidates from 35 to 21 was rejected. The Irish people also said “no” to constitutional amendments aimed at redefining the family and addressing care work.