Federalism: How Much Diversity Can the Law Tolerate?

„Let’s Talk About Law“—the interactive discussion series kicks off 2026 with a new episode.

The Forum Recht Foundation is continuing the initiative that was successfully launched in 2025 Interactive discussion series „Let’s Talk About Law“ will continue in 2026 as well. The series kicks off with a discussion on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, starting at 7:00 p.m. On the topic of federalism in the Karlsruhe Foundation’s venues. Our guests are Dr. Martin Große Hüttmann, a political scientist at Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, as well as Prof. Dr. David Roth-Isigkeit, Professor of Public Law at the University of Administrative Sciences in Speyer.

People often say that „federalism“ complicates many things. In Germany, legal rules in many areas of life can vary from state to state—and many people find this impractical, confusing, or even unfair. For this reason, the Forum Recht Foundation has invited experts to discuss the topic in a conversation with the audience.

The political scientist Dr. Martin Große Hüttmann has been conducting research for many years 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. His interview partner Prof. Dr. David Roth-Isigkeit He recently reviewed, on behalf of the National Regulatory Review Council, the constitutional options for consolidating responsibilities within a federal state.

In this moderated discussion, they explore 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?

The conversation will take place at 7:00 p.m. in the Forum Recht Foundation in Karlsruhe (Karlstraße 45 A). Admission is free. Registration is not required. The foundation cordially invites the audience to join the discussion and contribute their own questions.

Let's Talk About Law

Since 2025, the Forum Recht Foundation has been regularly hosting the „Let’s Talk About Recht“ discussion series at its venues in Karlsruhe and Leipzig. The guests are prominent figures from various fields of law who discuss their day-to-day work and share their perspectives on current legal topics—ranging from labor law and tenancy law to freedom of speech. The discussions are recorded and subsequently released as a live-on-tape podcast.