At (en)large : capturing the voice of citizens through citizens’ assemblies on the EU level

Abstract

This policy brief discusses citizens’ assemblies (CA) as a way of deepening and improving public engagement in political decision-making at the EU level. While commending the EU for using citizens’ assemblies in an unparalleled way during the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE), it demonstrates that the first CAs held on the EU level after CoFoE indicate that the EU institutions are still keen to keep strong control over the process and results of citizens’ assemblies. The brief argues the EU needs time to develop more confidence and a better understanding of the potential of CAs to further democratise EU institutions and their decision-making process. Albeit they are no panacea for all the intricated problems of contemporary polity, CAs qualify among the best candidates to help increase the trust in and legitimacy of strategic decisions on the EU level. This policy brief recommends having CAs on EU enlargement with citizens from both current member states and candidate countries. Enlargement is a great candidate for citizens’ assemblies due to its rich deliberative potential, derived from conflicting understandings and arguments of whether, how and when should the EU accept new members. Having citizens’ assemblies on enlargement would be an exemplary showcase of the EU’s commitment to inclusive, participatory, and deliberative democracy, and a strong statement of EU institutions’ willingness to fully consider the opinion of their constituencies.