His father was a street maintenance worker and he grew up in the Molino Nuovo section of the city.

[2] In 2019, he was mentioned as a possible successor to outgoing SVP president Albert Rösti; however, he initially rejected the overtures as his management of the retirement home did not allow him to take on another position.

In July 2020, a selection committee of the SVP tasked with nominating a new party president named Chiesa as its preferred candidate for the post.

[1] He has criticized immigration, claiming it to be responsible for traffic jams, higher housing costs and unfair competition for workers.

[10][11] In December 2023, Chiesa announced he would not run for another term as SVP president, citing the party's gains in the 2023 Swiss federal election.