The Citizen’s Convention on End-of-Life (CCFV) comprised 184 randomly selected individuals who worked diligently for four months to produce a remarkable outcome. The success of such a mechanism can be evaluated internally and externally; while the CCFV was successful internally, its success externally remains uncertain. Internally, the convention members, known as the conventionals, endorsed the report they submitted to the President on April 3, 2023, with near consensus (92.05%), as well as the manifesto that preceded it (88.57%), a politically contentious text. The high level of agreement on a divisive issue demonstrates the quality of the deliberative process and the value of such conventions in resolving difficult conflicts.
Throughout the sessions, procedures improved significantly, characterized by increasing transparency, reflexivity, and rigor. The Economic, Social, and Environmental Council (CESE), responsible for hosting and organizing the conventions, aims to internalize the necessary expertise and skills. The seriousness and humility of its teams, as well as its president, Thierry Beaudet, bode well for the future. The experimental learning process inherent in innovation necessitates attention to certain aspects for future conventions. This includes focusing on voting methods and practices in relation to collective reflection, as well as ensuring collegiality in selecting members of the governance committee and individuals to be interviewed during the convention’s proceedings.
The governance of conventions could be democratized and stabilized by compensating members of the governance committee, increasing the representation of former conventionals within it, and ensuring the systematic participation of citizens in its meetings, with a rotation mechanism. Moreover, introducing a vote by conventionals to assess the implementation of their recommendations, similar to what was done at the end of the Climate Citizens Convention, would enhance accountability. In December 2022, former Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne emphasized that the CCFV was not meant to replace the national representation. However, recognizing that randomly selected assemblies serve as a complementary form of political representation to electoral representation, by both the executive and the Parliament, would enhance clarity and encourage greater involvement of parliamentarians.
The next steps for the CCFV include establishing a follow-up process to ensure the implementation of its recommendations, as well as considering the potential for future conventions on various issues. Evaluating the impact of the recommendations made by the conventionals could further enhance the credibility and effectiveness of such mechanisms. Overall, the success of the CCFV internally highlights the potential of citizen conventions to address complex societal issues through inclusive and deliberative processes. By addressing the challenges identified and pushing for greater recognition of these mechanisms within the political system, citizen conventions can continue to play a valuable role in shaping public policies and promoting democratic participation.
