In Berlin, a randomly selected Citizens’ Forum has drawn up a “Citizens’ Charter for the Olympics”. This was presented to the Senate on 21 April 2026.
https://www.buergerrat.de/en/news/citizens-charter-for-the-olympics/
| It‘s the democracy, stupid! |
Thorsten Sterk
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It‘s the democracy, stupid!
The main threat to democracy today isn't military coups, it's elected leaders who systematically dismantle democratic institutions from within.
This is what Susan Stokes argues in her latest piece for the Journal of Democracy, 'Why Elected Leaders Subvert Democracy'.
In the German state of Thuringia, a state-wide citizens’ assembly will begin on 21 April 2026 to discuss the topic of “peace and diplomacy”. The mini-public is intended to give a voice to the “silent majority”.
https://www.buergerrat.de/en/news/giving-the-silent-majority-a-voice/
Citizens' assemblies are one of today's most exciting democratic innovations. Yet challenges remain: limited political influence, a bias toward consensus, and unequal participation rates among different social groups.
So how can citizens' assemblies evolve to live up to their promise? Join this workshop on April 28 in Munich organised by TUM Think Tank to find out.
In the US city of Lexington, a Civic Assembly has drawn up recommendations for amending the urban county charter. On 27 April, those involved will discuss the process in an online event.
Citizens’ assemblies could offer. @europarl the chance to live up to its own claim to be the centre of democratic debate, writes historian Richard Steinberg on @foederalist.
https://www.foederalist.eu/2026/04/european-parliament-deliberative-forums.html?m=1
Flensburg is the first local authority in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein to hold a Citizens’ Jury followed by a referendum. The focus is on the future of mobility in the Baltic Sea city.
https://www.buergerrat.de/en/news/citizens-jury-with-referendum-in-flensburg/
“Intergenerational Public Services” is the theme of the first statewide Citizens’ Assembly in North Rhine-Westphalia. Participants will begin their deliberations on April 17, 2026.
https://www.buergerrat.de/en/news/citizens-assembly-on-public-services-with-ai/
Citizens’ Action for Democracy (CitiDem) invites you to an online, multi-stakeholder event on 20 April 2026, where European citizens from diverse backgrounds will come together to shape the future of democracy in Europe.
On April 17, 2026, a Climate Council composed of representatives from academia and associations will begin its work in Lower Saxony. A panel of randomly selected citizens will monitor the work of the Climate Council.
https://www.buergerrat.de/en/news/climate-assembly-for-lower-saxony/
