Switzerland's COVID 19 strategy: The interplay of federalism, negotiation democracy and a science system kept at a distance

When Switzerland was hit by the pandemic, the response and successes were in line with other countries in similar situations. However, after the first wave, controls were relaxed more quickly and the response to the second wave was slower and less decisive than in other countries. We explain the trajectory of Switzerland's COVID 19 response by the interplay of federalism, negotiation democracy in relation to interest organisations and political parties, and a considerable distance between politics and society on the one hand and the scientific system on the other.