He was elected to the Federal Council of Switzerland on December 14, 1911, and died in office on January 23, 1940. He was affiliated with the Christian Democratic People's Party. While in office he held the following departments:
He was president of Switzerland five times, in 1915, 1920, 1927, 1932 and 1937.
Predecessor: Josef Anton Schobinger
Successor: Enrico Celio