DailyDrop Switzerland edition No. 16 · Morning · TUE., OCT. 20, 2026 · Lindt & Sprüngli parts ways with group CEO Adalbert Lechner with…

On Monday, October 19, the board of directors of Lindt & Sprüngli removed group CEO Adalbert Lechner with immediate effect (SRF, NZZ, Reuters, RTS). Dieter Weisskopf, who according to Reuters led Lindt from 2016 to 2022 and according to RTS was most recently vice-chairman of the board of directors, takes over on an interim basis. According to Reuters, Lechner had been group CEO since October 2022. The NZZ notes that the announcement does not explain the reasons. Reuters points out that in September Lindt cut its 2026 sales forecast for the second time, and names high cocoa prices and weaker consumption in Europe as causes. A new permanent group CEO is to be appointed by the second quarter of 2027.

A change at the top after two forecast cuts shows that the board of directors no longer wants to carry out the strategy with Lechner. The group is suffering from high raw material costs and weaker demand in Europe.

For shareholders and employees in Kilchberg and at the plants, the change brings uncertainty until a new chief is chosen. Consumers will notice nothing at first; prices and range stay unchanged unless the group announces otherwise.

From the board of directors’ point of view, new leadership is needed to return to lasting growth. With Weisskopf it is betting on a manager who has already led the group for six years and knows the business.

Critical voices see deeper causes. Analysts at Vontobel said, according to Reuters, that the board of directors could have intervened earlier, and the NZZ calls in a commentary for a generational change, because everything hinges on the 80-year-old company patron Ernst Tanner.

Confirmed are the immediate separation from Lechner, the interim solution with Weisskopf and the goal of a permanent successor in the second quarter of 2027. The exact reasons are not explained. Watch the stock market reaction, the search for the new chief and the role of Ernst Tanner.

SRF (separation from Lechner, 10/19/2026) · NZZ (announcement and commentary, 10/19/2026) · Reuters (forecast cut and succession, 10/19/2026) · RTS (Weisskopf on an interim basis, 10/19/2026)

Economy · Consumer goods✓ 4 outlets · reasons not explained in the announcement

Lindt & Sprüngli parts ways with group CEO Adalbert Lechner with immediate effect, Dieter Weisskopf takes over on an interim basis

The board of directors wants to appoint a new permanent chief by the second quarter of 2027; the share has lost around a quarter of its value in twelve months.

The Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Sprüngli is parting ways with group CEO Adalbert Lechner with immediate effect. SRF, NZZ, Reuters and RTS report this on Monday. According to SRF, the board of directors made the decision; former group CEO Dieter Weisskopf takes over on an interim basis. According to Reuters, Weisskopf led the group from 2016 to 2022, and according to RTS he was most recently vice-chairman of the board of directors. According to Reuters, Lechner had been at the helm since October 2022. The NZZ notes that the company’s announcement does not explain the reasons for the departure. According to Reuters, Lindt wants to appoint a new permanent group CEO by the second quarter of 2027.

As background, Reuters cites that in September Lindt cut its 2026 sales forecast for the second time this year, because of high cocoa prices and weaker demand in Europe. The share has lost around a quarter of its value over the past twelve months. Analysts at the bank Vontobel said, according to Reuters, that the board of directors could have intervened earlier. The NZZ devotes a commentary to the group and calls for a generational change: everything hinges on the 80-year-old company patron Ernst Tanner, who should prepare his succession. RTS reports that with the change Weisskopf returns to the top until a successor is found.

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Zurich Executive Councillor Natalie Rickli is forgoing a Federal Council candidacy (SRF, NZZ, Tages-Anzeiger, Le Temps, Watson). According to Le Temps, she announced the decision on Instagram on Monday, October 19, and wants to concentrate on the canton of Zurich. In the NZZ she calls the step a “decision of reason” and recommends a health director from another canton; the Tages-Anzeiger names Jean-Pierre Gallati of Aargau. According to Watson, the SVP Switzerland’s registration deadline ends on Friday, October 23, at 12 noon. Schwyz Executive Councillor André Rüegsegger is not running either (Watson). The NZZ lists Martullo-Blocher, Friedli, Rickli and Rüegsegger as withdrawals, the Tages-Anzeiger Benjamin Fischer and Thomas Matter as possible Zurich candidates.

Rickli was seen as the favorite of the Zurich SVP. Her withdrawal shifts the search for a successor to Parmelin and leaves open whether the party fields a candidate from Zurich or whether French-speaking Switzerland gets its turn with Céline Amaudruz.

Anyone following the Federal Council election should watch the reports until the deadline on Friday. Until then further candidacies or withdrawals are possible; the member will be elected later by the Federal Assembly.

Rickli justifies the step with her responsibility for Zurich and the stability of the government. The Zurich SVP nevertheless hopes for a seat, according to the Tages-Anzeiger, and sees further options in Fischer and Matter.

According to the NZZ, the pile-up of withdrawals raises the question of who is still left for Parmelin’s succession at all. According to the Tages-Anzeiger, Gallati is polarizing in his own ranks, and Matter had promised his wife in 2014 not to become a Federal Councillor.

Confirmed are Rickli’s withdrawal, Rüegsegger’s withdrawal and the deadline on October 23. Open are further candidacies and Gallati’s stance. Watch who comes forward by Friday and whether the Zurich SVP presents a candidate of its own.

SRF (Rickli withdraws, 10/19/2026) · NZZ (interview and withdrawals, 10/19/2026) · Tages-Anzeiger (Gallati and Zurich SVP, 10/19/2026) · Le Temps (Instagram announcement, 10/19/2026) · Watson (deadline and Rüegsegger, 10/19/2026)

Politics · Federal Council✓ 5 outlets · further candidacies open

Natalie Rickli rules out a Federal Council candidacy and recommends Aargau’s Jean-Pierre Gallati

Zurich Executive Councillor Natalie Rickli will not run to succeed Guy Parmelin on the Federal Council. SRF, NZZ, Tages-Anzeiger, Le Temps and Watson report this. According to Le Temps, Rickli announced her decision on Instagram on Monday; she wants to concentrate on her canton. In an interview with the NZZ she calls the step a “decision of reason” and sees her responsibility in Zurich. Instead, according to the NZZ, she recommends a health director from another canton; the Tages-Anzeiger names Jean-Pierre Gallati of Aargau, who is polarizing in his own ranks and does not comment on the recommendation. According to Watson, the SVP Switzerland’s registration deadline ends on Friday, October 23, at 12 noon. With Rickli another favorite drops out. The NZZ lists Martullo-Blocher, Friedli, Rickli and Rüegsegger as withdrawals; Watson reports that Schwyz Executive Councillor André Rüegsegger is not running. So far Céline Amaudruz has come forward as a candidate. The Tages-Anzeiger writes that the Zurich SVP continues to hope for a seat on the Federal Council despite the withdrawal; Benjamin Fischer and Thomas Matter are mentioned as possible candidates. Matter is said to have promised his wife in 2014 not to become a Federal Councillor.

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Inside

Ronaldo is banned for 30 days and must pay a 255-euro fine over the departure scandal at the national teamThe Portuguese football federation imposes the penalty over the early departure from the national team. Blick, 20 Minuten and Tages-Anzeiger call it a mild punishment.Sport · ✓ 5 outlets

Zurich High Court toughens the penalty for a rapist to a 14.5-year prison sentenceThe 30-year-old construction worker had raped two women in Wetzikon and Wädenswil; the Hinwil District Court had imposed 13 years. Watson, NZZ and Tele Züri report.Justice · ✓ 3 outlets

The Reformed Church of the canton of Zurich admits failings in dealing with assaults by a pastor (20 Minuten, Tages-Anzeiger, 24 heures, swissinfo). An external expert report concludes that at least ten women were affected between 1992 and 2006. According to the reports, the church leadership knew of the allegations from 2006 and opened an investigation; when the pastor resigned in August 2007, it was discontinued. According to 24 heures, he continued working until retirement age, including in Geneva. The discontinuation was legally permissible according to the report, but the church did not sufficiently take up its responsibility toward the women. The Church Council has apologized; the church parliament decides in November on financial recognition payments.

The case shows how proceedings against individuals can end once they are no longer employed, and how those affected are thereby left without any reckoning. The church is under pressure to regulate proceedings and recognition payments.

Those affected and witnesses can find counseling at victim assistance and at church contact points. The report establishes allegations that have not been judged by a court.

The church admits mistakes and has apologized. It wants to support those affected with recognition payments in November and to work through the case after it was reopened in 2025.

According to 24 heures, those affected demand reparation and point out that the pastor was able to keep working even though the church leadership knew. The pastor could file an appeal against the release of the report; the allegations have not been established in court.

Confirmed are the report, the apology and the decision of the church parliament in November. Open are the number of reports, the pastor’s right of appeal and the amount of the payments. Watch the session of the church parliament.

20 Minuten (church admits failings, 10/19/2026) · Tages-Anzeiger (pastor and Church Council, 10/19/2026) · 24 heures (victims demand reparation, 10/19/2026) · swissinfo (reckoning, 10/19/2026)

Reformed Church of Zurich admits failings over assaults by a pastor on at least ten womenAn external expert report speaks of assaults between 1992 and 2006; the church leadership knew of them from 2006. 20 Minuten, Tages-Anzeiger, 24 heures and swissinfo report.Society · ✓ 4 outlets

Three army members are injured in an accident during an exercise on Lake Lucerne, one is flown away by RegaThe accident happened on Monday evening near Gersau SZ on a training boat; military justice is investigating. 20 Minuten, Blick and swissinfo report.Switzerland · ✓ 3 outlets

Benny Gantz withdraws from the race eight days before the Knesset election of October 27Polls had his party below the electoral threshold, as Watson and The Jewish Chronicle report. He will keep fighting for unity, Gantz said.World · ✓ 2 outlets

World · Brazil✓ 5 outlets · debate yielded hardly any statements on the programs

Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro hurl insults at each other in the first TV duel a week before the October 25 runoff

A week before the runoff in Brazil, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his challenger Flávio Bolsonaro traded heated insults in their first TV duel. Le Temps, 24 heures, RTS, RSI and franceinfo report this. The runoff takes place on October 25; Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, was ahead in the first round on October 4, according to RTS. According to Le Temps, insults took up much of the time and proposals receded. According to franceinfo, Lula called his rival a “clown” and a “notorious liar” after the latter had not answered questions about a corruption investigation. Bolsonaro held the word “corrupt” up to the camera and said Brazil would send Lula into retirement. Also disputed was the role of Lula’s wife Janja, whom Bolsonaro portrayed as a source of inflated government spending. Lula demanded information about an investigation into the financing of a film about Bolsonaro’s father.

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In brief

Roche halts investments in GermanyThe Basel pharma group is suspending new investment decisions in Germany, citing the federal government’s austerity plans in healthcare (Blick, 20 Minuten).
Filling up in AustriaMore and more Swiss drivers fill up in the neighboring country, where a liter sometimes costs up to 42 rappen less (Blick, 20 Minuten).
Orionids on ThursdayThe shooting stars reach their peak in the night to Thursday with more than 20 meteors per hour (Watson).
Geneva warns of fraud emailsThe Geneva tax administration warns of fake emails promising a tax refund (Le Temps).
Douay leaves Lausanne HCThe French forward Floran Douay had only a short contract; the club is not extending it after one month (24 heures, SRF).
AI filings burden courtsAccording to 24 heures, filings drafted with ChatGPT are increasing the workload of Swiss courts.
TAS ruling at the end of NovemberThe Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) intends to rule at the end of November on the appeal over the final of the 2025 Africa Cup between Morocco and Senegal (24 heures).
Musk promises US children SpaceX sharesElon Musk announces he will give every child in the US one SpaceX share (24 heures, Tages-Anzeiger).

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DailyDrop.

Lindt & Sprüngli parts ways with group CEO Adalbert Lechner with immediate effect, Dieter Weisskopf takes over on an interim basis

Natalie Rickli rules out a Federal Council candidacy and recommends Aargau’s Jean-Pierre Gallati

SRF investigation: Securitas allegedly violated the Labor Act more than 20,000 times in Central Switzerland

Opponents of the Centre party’s initiative on taxing married couples warn of “tax chaos” – vote on November 29

Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro hurl insults at each other in the first TV duel a week before the October 25 runoff

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