As a leading figure in the Swiss People's Party, he was elected by the Swiss Federal Assembly to succeed Federal Councillor Samuel Schmid in the Swiss Federal Council election of 10 December 2008 and took office on 1 January 2009.
Sebagai pemimpin Partai Rakyat Swiss sayap kanan, ia dipilih oleh Majelis Federal Swiss untuk menggantikan anggota Dewan Federal Samuel Schmid dalam Pemilihan Umum Dewan Federal Swiss tanggal 10 Desember 2008 dan mulai aktif sejak 1 Januari 2009.