The classic theory of political representation, with its liberal understanding of the concepts of political legitimacy and sovereignty and their source, the nation, is at the origins of the free mandate and is clear on the prohibition of the imperative mandate. Both Burke and Sieyès agreed during the eighteenth century on the free mandate of representatives as a basic characteristic of the political representation. A distinction has therefore to be made between representatives (members of a deliberative body) and holders of executive functions. The prohibition of the imperative mandate only concerns the former: the classic theory of political representation therefore excludes the recall of representatives. In addition, the notion of deliberative democracy with its focus on the need for political decisions to be the product of fair and reasonable discussion and debate among citizens, suggests that members of deliberative assemblies will reach their decisions at the end of a process of consultation and debate, which is at odds with the notion of imperative mandate.