Ruey was born in Nyon and grew up in the municipality of Gland in the Canton of Vaud.

Ruey ran for the presidency unopposed and was elected to the post in June 2008.

[4] Ruey pushed to continue the cooperation of the parties and they formed a common parliamentary group in 2005.

As late as January 2007, Ruey avoided pushing for a formal merger; however, the loss of additional seats in the 2007 Swiss federal election led Ruey to propose a formal merger.

In 2008, Ruey resigned as the party leader in order to become the president of EPER/HEKS, the aid society of the Swiss Protestant church.