Decisions made on a conveyor belt: in the chamber of the National Council, bills and motions are negotiated at a rapid tempo, and either adopted or rejected by vote. There is hardly any room left for discussions about scientific findings. | Illustration: Christoph Fischer

Discussing strategy: the lobby sees a lot of conversations, phone calls and gesticulating among the different parliamentary groups – until someone shouts “Vote!”, at which all the national councillors run into the chamber. | Illustration: Christoph Fischer

Taking a short break: back in the lobby, the parliamentarians are back on their laptops to get the latest information. | Illustration: Christoph Fischer

Advance consultation: the National Council’s Science, Education and Culture Committee discusses how to adapt legislation to promote research into new technologies. | Illustration: Christoph Fischer

High-ranking visitors from the world of research. Maryna Viazovska and Hugo Duminil-Copin, the winners of the Fields Medal, were given a warm welcome in the National Council chamber, then went to a committee room to answer questions from the parliamentarians. Viazovska used coloured tennis balls to illustrate her solution to a mathematical problem. | Illustration: Christoph Fischer