GermanyOwnership & classification
Founded: 2004
Ownership
Cicero, a German monthly magazine for political culture, was founded in 2004 by journalist Wolfram Weimer and originally belonged to the Ringier publishing group. In a 2016 management buy-out, editors-in-chief Alexander Marguier and Christoph Schwennicke took the magazine (together with the art title Monopol) out of Ringier into their own Res Publica Verlags GmbH in Berlin. After Schwennicke left and sold his shares in 2021, the company is held by Marguier and financial manager Dirk Notheis, who are listed as the publishers.
Funding
Financed commercially through newsstand sales, print and digital subscriptions, and advertising, with the publishing house owned by its editor and a private investor rather than by a corporate group.
Affiliation & stance
Cicero is an opinion-driven political magazine with a conservative-liberal, center-right editorial line, but it is privately owned by its own editorial leadership and a private investor with no party, church or state control. That commercial, independent ownership makes it INDEPENDENT, consistent with the site's classification (lean center-right).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Conservative
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 149
71/100
Factual
58/100
Objective
157
Articles
152
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Debate on the AfD in the CDU: The AfD is a Western party
Reiner Haseloff, former Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt and member of the CDU, warns against any cooperation with the AfD after the upcoming state election on September 6. He argues that parts of the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt are unconstitutional and would lead to a fundamentally different system with a completely different value system if such collaboration were allowed. Haseloff emphasizes that the CDU cannot work with the AfD unless the party changes its current radical stance. While he remains firm against cooperation with the Left Party, he criticizes the media for their 'Western perspective' and claims they contribute to a negative portrayal of East Germany, which plays into the hands of the AfD. Haseloff acknowledges past contributions to East-West divisions within his own CDU but insists that the AfD is primarily a Western party.
Before the elections in Saxony-Anhalt: coffee with Mr Siegmund?
Four weeks before the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, leading candidates from various parties participated in a televised debate hosted by MDR titled 'Fakt ist! Wahlarena,' where they addressed questions from the public on topics ranging from education, gas supply, migration, war, and peace. The discussion focused heavily on concerns regarding democracy, societal division, and the future role of the AfD, which leads in opinion polls with over 40 percent support. One audience member questioned why the CDU would maintain a 'firewall' against the AfD if they wanted to engage with their voters. The CDU’s Minister President, Sven Schulze, stated he had no intention of cooperating with the AfD but emphasized his willingness to talk to its supporters. The AfD’s candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, described a sense of optimism among his supporters, while Left Party candidate Eva von Angern warned against falling into the AfD’s narrative of victimhood. Education was another major topic, particularly the AfD’s proposal to replace compulsory schooling with a compulsory education mandate, which Siegmund argued could benefit children facing extreme bullying at school. Other issues included university
The most likely scenario for a complete restructuring of the SPD
The article discusses the potential complete restructuring of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in Germany, following the departures of prominent members such as Sascha Onken (Bas) and Thomas Klingbeil. It outlines what is considered the most likely scenario for this transformation, focusing on internal dynamics and strategic shifts within the party. The piece highlights the challenges faced by the SPD in maintaining relevance amid changing political landscapes and voter preferences. While the article provides context on the party’s current state, it does not offer detailed policy proposals or specific future plans.
Protection of institutions: Federal Council prepares for AfD government
The article discusses concerns within the German federal council (Bundesrat) regarding potential influence by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party if it gains power in Saxony-Anhalt after the September 6 regional election. Bundesratspräsident Andreas Bovenschulte (SPD) states that while the AfD's presence could be felt politically, he does not foresee significant disruptions to the legislative process. He emphasizes that democratic forces are likely to prevail and stresses the need for continued efforts to prevent an AfD-led government. The AfD currently leads in opinion polls in Saxony-Anhalt ahead of the CDU, which holds the current leadership. Bovenschulte notes that the Bundesrat has already updated its rules of procedure to enhance stability and prevent potential challenges to the constitutional order, though these changes were not specifically aimed at the AfD but rather became necessary after over three decades. The article highlights procedural adjustments designed to limit opportunities for far-right politicians to gain influence within the Bundesrat.
The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance - The nail in the coffin of the BSW
The article discusses internal conflicts within the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) political party in Germany, focusing on a power struggle between co-leaders Sahra Wagenknecht and Katja Wolf. The conflict has led to a split in the party, with some members leaving due to disagreements over direction and strategy. The article suggests that this internal strife could further weaken the party, particularly in light of its controversial stance against the AfD (Alternative für Deutschland). The piece is authored by Mathias Brodkorb, who is associated with the SPD and has previously held ministerial positions.
Heat protection as a Community objective - The Basic Law is not a wishful thinking
The article discusses the current state of heat protection measures in Germany, emphasizing that they remain the responsibility of local municipalities rather than being enshrined in the Basic Law (Grundgesetz). It criticizes efforts to use the constitution to advance ideological goals through the backdoor, suggesting such attempts could undermine the integrity of the Basic Law. The piece then shifts tone, advocating for calmness and relaxation as temperatures drop, noting that not every heatwave signals apocalyptic conditions. It concludes by promoting a more relaxed approach to weather and climate issues.
The invisible chancellor - Friedrich is in a state of shock
The article discusses Chancellor Friedrich Merz's prolonged absence from public view since mid-August 2026, amid Germany's multiple crises and his party's declining political position. It highlights concerns over his lack of public engagement and the opacity surrounding his whereabouts, despite claims by his spokesperson that he remains active behind the scenes. The piece criticizes the Chancellery for withholding information about his activities, suggesting a lack of transparency and accountability.
East-West conflict within Germany - The divisions of the nation
The article discusses the growing divide between East and West Germany, focusing on how political and media elites are challenging national unity. It criticizes figures like Björn Höcke and Sahra Wagenknecht for promoting divisive narratives that question the shared identity of Germans. Höcke claims that West Germans have been 'usurped' by American culture, while Wagenknecht advocates for an 'eastern path' and alternative democracy. The piece argues that both East and West are being manipulated through constructed identities, with the author suggesting that this trend is supported by parties such as AfD, Left, and BSW. The article frames these developments as a threat to the core values of unity, freedom, and the rule of law emphasized in the German national anthem.
CDU politician Dennis Radtke with Markus Lanz - A commitment to non-politics
The article discusses CDU politician Dennis Radtke's appearance on the show Markus Lanz, where he expressed resignation regarding the negative effects of uncontrolled mass migration. The author criticizes Radtke for failing to address these issues politically, suggesting that his approach reflects a lack of engagement with core political responsibilities. The piece is authored by Ben Krischke, who is associated with Cicero and has contributed to books such as 'Die Wokeness-Illusion' and 'Der Selbstbetrug.' The article includes promotional content for Cicero subscriptions and mentions the possibility of accessing content without a subscription through tiun.
Bonds - The bond market becomes the new master of politics
The article discusses the transformation of the bond market into a dominant force in politics, referencing a quote from James Carville about wanting to be reborn as the bond market due to its power to intimidate. It highlights the long bull market for bonds that ended around late 2021, which allowed governments and investors to benefit from falling interest rates and rising bond prices. The decline in inflation, initially driven by restrictive monetary policies under Paul Volcker, later supported by globalization and technological progress, led to the belief that inflation was defeated. This allowed central banks to push interest rates to zero or negative levels, enabling governments to accumulate massive debt without immediate repayment burdens. However, this situation changed in 2021 when inflation began to rise again, challenging previous assumptions.
Effects of low water - End consumers face price increases
The article discusses the effects of low water levels on supply chains in Germany, highlighting vulnerabilities in the country's logistics infrastructure. It quotes Jens Hornstein, a procurement expert, who emphasizes the need for companies to identify critical dependencies, prepare for scenarios, and develop alternatives. The piece warns consumers to expect price increases due to these disruptions. The article is part of a Cicero publication and includes information about the author and subscription options.
The interview with Inge Bell - Sexual identity is a completely vague term
The article features an interview with Inge Bell, a former executive board member of the German women's rights organization Terre des Femmes, discussing her critical views on 'sexual identity' and contemporary trans politics. Bell argues that the concept of sexual identity is too vague and warns against issues such as surrogacy. She positions the debate over gender definition as a turning point for the feminist movement. The piece highlights her background as a journalist and activist, including recognition for her work against abuse of disabled people, child pornography, and forced prostitution.
Ralf Hütter on his 80th birthday - High Priest of the Future
The article commemorates Ralf Hütter, co-founder of the influential electronic music band Kraftwerk, on his 80th birthday. It highlights Kraftwerk's significant impact beyond pop music and describes a promotional event in Frankfurt where Hütter was honored through a visual display combining technology and art. The piece includes information about a subscription model for accessing exclusive content from Cicero, including a promotional offer for the first month at a reduced price.