The president of Hamburg’s parliament informed her guests about the preparations for the G20 Summit due to be held in Hamburg in July and the associated challenges. The two sides also discussed the advantages and disadvantages of direct democracy and the upcoming federal elections. Hamburg is both a federal state and a city, which is why the parliament serves as both the state and city parliament. The same is also true of the senate of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, which also exercises its role as state and city government. The topics covered during the meeting with the mayor of Hamburg focused on migration and direct democracy.
Mr Stahl was accompanied by Christine Schraner Burgener, Swiss ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, Michael Eggenschwiler, Swiss honorary consul in Hamburg and Nina Wirth, foreign policy advisor at the Parliamentary Services.
Following the talks Mr Stahl took part in the international parliamentary football tournament. The 45th edition of the tournament involving teams from Germany, Austria, Finland and Switzerland took place in Hamburg this year.