Overview
- The Bundestag administration confirmed the dissolution of its staff unit for citizens' assemblies and said there are currently no political plans for another assembly.
- The coalition agreement states that formats like civil-society citizens' assemblies of the Bundestag should be continued, creating a clear contradiction with the move.
- SPD lawmaker Helge Lindh criticized the decision and called for a concrete plan to run further assemblies, arguing they reach people absent from typical political forums.
- Civil-society partners Mehr Demokratie and the Nexus Institute said they have received no mandate for additional assemblies and warned the retreat could erode public trust.
- Bundestag President Julia Klöckner has voiced skepticism, emphasizing parliamentary primacy, while the 2023 food-policy assembly's recommendations saw limited follow-up after an early election interrupted the process.