„Let’s Talk About Law“ – The Interactive Discussion Series: Federalism: How Much Diversity Can the Law Tolerate?

People often say that „federalism“ makes things complicated. In Germany, the rules can vary from one federal state to another—and many people find this impractical, confusing, or even unfair.

With the event on March 11, 2026, the Forum Recht Foundation will continue the „Let’s Talk About Recht“ discussion series that began in 2025. The guest speaker will be the political scientist Dr. Martin Big Hüttmann and Prof. Dr. David Roth-Isigkeit, Professor of Public Law at the University of Administrative Sciences in Speyer.

Together with our guests, we want to discuss why there are so many different rules in Germany in the first place—and what that means for our daily lives. What problems arise when each federal state has its own laws? But also: What advantages does this diversity offer? What happens when rules contradict each other? And how can political developments in the federal states—such as the state election in Baden-Württemberg on March 8—have a concrete impact on the law? The audience is cordially invited to join the discussion and contribute their own questions to the conversation.

Our guests

Dr. Martin Große Hüttmann is a research associate at the Institute of Political Science at the University of Tübingen. For many years, he has been conducting research on the political systems of the Federal Republic of Germany and the European Union, focusing in particular on issues of European integration, political parties, and federalism.

Photo: Alexander Kobusch

Prof. Dr. David Roth-Isigkeit is a professor of public law, specializing in the law of digitalization, at the University of Administrative Sciences in Speyer. He recently served as an expert for the National Council for the Review of Regulations, examining the constitutional possibilities for the consolidation of responsibilities in a federal state.

Photo: University of Speyer: DUV-Speyer

The evening will be hosted by Alena Karina Lagmöller. The lawyer has been an editor and reporter in the ARD legal news department for television, online, and radio since 2023, and has also served as a moderator for panel discussions on legal topics since 2025. This year, she will moderate all five „Let’s Talk About Law“ events in Karlsruhe and will therefore also be featured on the podcast of the same name.

Photo: Private