Identification issues in citizens’ participation Why are eIDAS-compliant means of identification not common standard?

Citizens’ participation became quite common in municipal settings in Germany in the recent years. If the registration and identification methods used are examined, nearly each participation process relies on the possession of a simple email-address as a sole requirement. More secure methods, like introduced by the eIDAS-regulation and the Revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2) and hence commonly available, are totally neglected. The paper analyzes different types of citizens’ participation, derives the theoretical minimum requirements for proof of the identity of the participants and provides insights collected from interviews with organizers of participation processes. It concludes with recommendations which will hopefully lead to a more sustainable and resilient e-participation for the future.