The government published its assessment of a draft bill on the topic by Pirate Party MP Sven Clement. While the government acknowledges the general idea behind citizen participation, it believes a number of points are unclear or problematic. The government raises for instance the question if a civil forum based on the one launched in Eupen would even be in agreement with the constitution.
Such a forum would consist of volunteers. Those interested in joining the forum are registered and the actual participants are drawn randomly. Members of the forum would then give recommendations to the government, while a citizen's council would be in charge of monitoring how or if the government is following up on these recommendations. However, the government argues that the constitution reserves the role of monitoring the government's work to the Chamber of Deputies.
The government of Prime Minister Bettel generally takes issue with Clement's proposal to regulate such a citizen's assembly – which could count up to 50 members – through a law. Instead, the government suggests that if such a permanent citizen participation would ever be established, it could simply be based on the Chamber of Deputies' internal rules.
In its statement, the government also points out that Clement's draft bill is not specific enough, e.g. when it comes to deadlines that would apply in certain scenarios, or age and qualifications of the members that would be drawn at random.
In the Belgian municipality of Eupen, about 1,000 people received a letter inviting them to participate in the citizen's assembly. 115 people are taking part in the experiment and are receiving an attendance fee of €64 per meeting.
While the government's assessment seems to indicate a certain reluctance towards a similar form of voluntary democratic participation in the Grand-Duchy, the ministers have also pointed out that the new version of the constitution will include the right of a citizen's initiative.
