He was elected to the Swiss Federal Council on March 11, 1998 as a member of the Free Democratic Party (FDP/PRD) and French speaking Valais. During his office time he holds the following departments:
Previously, he had been Deputy Mayor (1976) and Mayor of Martigny (since 1984) and, from 1979, deputy in the National Council.
He holds a law degree from the University of Lausanne and is father of three children.