He was elected to the Federal Council of Switzerland on December 12, 1929 and handed over office on December 31, 1938. He was affiliated to the Free Democratic Party of Switzerland. During his office time he held the Department of Home Affairs from 1930 to 1934 and the Department of Finance from 1934 to 1938.
He was president of Switzerland in 1936.
Predecessor: Robert Haab
Successor: Ernst Wetter