Hamburg-Vigoni Talks – #10 The work of the Hamburg Parliament's European Affairs Committeewith Prof Dr Armin Hatje and Richard Seelmaecker

4 October 2021

The second round of the Hamburg-Vigoni Talks specifically seeks to facilitate dialogue between science and politics. In the tenth Hamburg-Vigoni Talk, Prof. Dr. Armin Hatje engaged in a conversation with Richard Seelmaecker, a member of the Hamburg Parliament. Richard Seelmaecker has been a continuous member of the parliament since 2015, following an initial term from 2008 to 2011. He is a member of the CDU faction and serves as the spokesperson for legal affairs within the faction. Additionally, he chairs the European Affairs Committee of the Parliament. Prof. Dr. Armin Hatje is a professor of Public Law and European Law at the University of Hamburg.

Armin Hatje and Richard Seelmaecker specifically discussed the work of the European Affairs Committee of the Parliament, with a particular focus on subsidiarity control. They also evaluated the current general constitution of the EU, identified potential reform needs, and addressed the recurring debate on the rule of law in individual member states.

The "Hamburg-Vigoni Talks" is a discussion format within the Hamburg-Vigoni Forum. The series aims to relate the thematic focuses of the forum - space, sovereignty, and identity - to current political topics and further promote the desired connection between politics and research. The intention is not a theoretical discussion of complex topoi but rather an accessible discussion of their actual significance in political practice.

The conversations primarily take place among the scientists from the organizing institutions of the forum and are conducted in an interdisciplinary manner. To avoid a mono perspective view, the circle of speakers is not limited to the academic field but occasionally includes individuals with practical political backgrounds.