Planned citizens’ council in the Bundestag on nutrition: This is what it should look like

This year, for the first time, there will be a citizens’ council decided by the Bundestag. He is supposed to deal with questions related to nutrition. Parliament President Bärbel Bas (SPD) will draw the participants on Friday. The council is scheduled to start in September. What it’s about:

What is the goal of the Citizens Council?

The three traffic light parties had agreed in their coalition agreement to use “new forms of civil dialogue such as citizens’ councils”. The aim is to counteract the alienation of citizens and politicians and to contribute to objectifying controversial debates.

Why was nutrition chosen as a topic?

The coalition agreement left the issue open. The government factions opted for nutrition because it concerns many people and affects them in their everyday lives. The citizens’ council was then set up in May by parliamentary resolution entitled “Nutrition in transition: between private affairs and state tasks”. It is said to have 160 participants aged 16 and over.

What exactly should be discussed?

The Council is to comment on what “belongs to transparent labeling of social conditions, environmental and climate compatibility and animal welfare standards” on food. It should also be discussed how the population can be “better supported in purchasing decisions with regard to healthy eating” and what “fiscal framework” the state should set for the “pricing of food”. Concepts against food waste are also on the agenda.

How are the members selected?

In mid-June, Bas invited almost 20,000 randomly selected citizens from 82 municipalities to participate. A good 2000 showed interest. An algorithm determined 1000 possible compositions of a citizens’ council that correspond to the given criteria. These are geographical origin, gender, age, community size and level of education. In addition, it is ensured that vegans and vegetarians are also represented according to their share of the population. On Friday, Bas then draws a citizens’ council from these 1000 possible variants.

Is it the first citizens’ council?

At least the first one set up by Parliament. In the last legislative period there was already a citizens’ council on foreign policy under the patronage of the then Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble (CDU). However, this project was organized by an association.

From when to when should the Citizens’ Council meet?

The Citizens’ Council will be officially opened on September 29, 2023. A total of three weekend meetings in attendance are planned. There are also six digital evening events. The Citizens’ Council should then complete its deliberations by February 29, 2024.

How much does the Citizens’ Council cost?

Participants receive an expense allowance of 100 euros per session day in presence and 50 euros per session in digital form. Hotel costs are covered. There are also costs for a staff unit for the citizens’ council and an external service provider. According to the Bundestag, the total costs cannot yet be precisely quantified. In the 2023 budget, a maximum of three million euros are earmarked for the Citizens’ Council.

What happens to the results?

The Citizens’ Council draws up a report with concrete recommendations for action. “These flow into the parliamentary deliberations,” explains the Bundestag. However, there is no obligation to take it into account: “What is implemented and what is not is ultimately decided by the members of the German Bundestag alone.”

What triggers criticism?

There are fears in the Union that the project will “undermine the importance of parliaments,” as CDU MP Gitta Connemann said in May. CDU MP Philipp Amthor also warned this week that legitimate efforts to increase citizen participation should “not lead to a progressive erosion of the concept of representative democracy.”