GermanyOwnership & classification
Founded: 1986
Ownership
Junge Freiheit was founded in 1986 in Freiburg on the initiative of the then-19-year-old Dieter Stein, who remains its editor-in-chief and publisher. It is published by the privately held Junge Freiheit Verlag GmbH (founded 1990, based in Berlin), which Stein controls. The paper belongs to no larger media group and is owned and run by its founder.
Funding
It is financed commercially through newspaper sales/subscriptions and advertising, supplemented by a sizeable, loyal subscriber base; it receives no party subsidy and no state or licence-fee money.
Affiliation & stance
Junge Freiheit is a flagship weekly of the German New Right (Neue Rechte) with a nationalist-conservative editorial line that overlaps with AfD positions and has at times been monitored by domestic intelligence, but it is not owned or controlled by any party, church or the state. Because it is privately and owner-controlled with no formal party or state ownership, it is classified INDEPENDENT (right-leaning), confirming the site's existing type and RIGHT lean.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Conservative
- Measured from coverage
- Lean Conservativebased on 223
59/100
Factual
50/100
Objective
235
Articles
228
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.
The heart of thermal management: the secret of Porsche's electric car
The article discusses Porsche's advanced thermomanagement system for electric vehicles, focusing on how it ensures efficiency, performance, and comfort under extreme conditions. It highlights the challenges faced by Porsche engineers in maintaining battery performance in high temperatures, such as those experienced in Dubai and Oman. The system must manage heat generated during aggressive driving on racetracks while still allowing efficient charging and maintaining range. The piece explains how predictive thermomanagement, software optimization, and waste heat recovery contribute to achieving these goals. Porsche customers demand exceptional performance and reliability even in extreme climates, making this technology a critical component of their electric vehicles.
CDU Thuringia: Voigt speaks of plagiarism charges as a "gilded thing"
The article discusses the political situation in Thuringia, focusing on Mario Voigt, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) state branch. Voigt faces allegations of academic misconduct, specifically plagiarism accusations against his doctoral thesis. These claims were initially raised by a controversial expert, Stefan Weber, and later led to the revocation of his doctorate by the Technical University of Chemnitz. The controversy has intensified political tensions within the coalition government, prompting threats of a vote of no confidence from the AfD. During a recent CDU regional congress, Voigt defended himself against these allegations, emphasizing his commitment to standing up for his position despite the personal and political challenges. While he received support from delegates, his approval rate slightly decreased compared to the previous election.
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
Thuringian state parliament: Höcke wants to make Wagenknecht the Prime Minister
On August 12, 2026, Björn Höcke, leader of the AfD in Thuringia, called on Sahra Wagenknecht, founder of the BSW party, to become the new Minister-President of Thuringia. Höcke made this appeal in a video posted on X, referencing the upcoming state election in Saxony-Anhalt. He urged Wagenknecht to initiate a 'new chapter' in Germany's party history, suggesting she could lead a coalition between the AfD and BSW. The BSW is part of the so-called Brombeer Coalition in Thuringia, which includes the CDU and SPD. Meanwhile, Thuringia’s current Minister-President, Mario Voigt (CDU), faces pressure after his doctoral title was rejected by Chemnitz University of Technology. The AfD has previously attempted to oust Voigt through a constructive vote of no confidence, but their efforts failed in February when Höcke himself ran for the position. Currently, the AfD holds 32 seats and the BSW holds 15 out of 88 in the Thuringian parliament, potentially giving them a majority if they cooperate. Höcke expressed doubts about whether Wagenknecht would translate her insights into action in the Saxony-Anhalt election and accused her of supporting Voigt despite her criticisms of him.
Debate on dealing with the AfD: Now is not the time to ban it
The article discusses the timing of a potential ban on the AfD (Alternative for Germany), arguing that initiating a prohibition process too early would be counterproductive. It explains that if the AfD continues to claim adherence to the Basic Law (Germany’s constitution), any ban would require extensive evidence of anti-democratic intent, leading to lengthy legal battles involving thousands of statements and multiple court rulings over years. The author suggests that attempting to ban the party now risks undermining democratic trust, as citizens might question the legitimacy of such actions. Instead, the piece advocates waiting until the AfD holds power, where specific unconstitutional acts could then be challenged through constitutional complaints, allowing for quicker and more effective responses if the party violates the law.
Cologne immigration office and the Coesfelder list: dispute over allegedly prevented deportations
The article titled 'Ausländerbehörde Köln und die »Coesfelder Liste«: Streit um angeblich verhinderte Abschiebungen' appears to focus on a dispute involving the Cologne Immigration Office and the Coesfelder List regarding alleged prevented deportations. However, the content provided does not include the actual article text, as it consists solely of subscription information and login prompts for access to SPIEGEL+ content. There is no substantive news content available in the provided text.
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.
The Marsupilami came from the jungle
The article titled 'Das Marsupilami – Aus dem Urwald ist es her' appears to reference the fictional animal Marsupilami, which originates from the comic strip and cartoon series. The title suggests a narrative about the origins of this creature, possibly drawing parallels between its jungle roots and contemporary themes. However, the content provided does not include substantial information or context beyond the headline. Given the lack of detailed content and the nature of the reference, it is unclear if the piece is intended as a cultural commentary, a children's story, or something else entirely.
Ceuta: Morocco and Spain step up border security
Following calls on social media for another migrant surge toward Ceuta, Morocco and Spain have significantly strengthened security measures at the border between Morocco and the Spanish North African enclave. Additional barbed wire barriers were erected in the Moroccan border town of Fnideq, along with numerous checkpoints on access roads, and water cannons are stationed at the border itself. Moroccan security forces have taken positions at the beach in Fnideq, where many migrants had previously attempted to cross into Ceuta in late July. Patrol boats now monitor the coastline. Spain has already built a sea barrier and deployed hundreds of additional police and soldiers to Ceuta, who will remain until the situation stabilizes. The migrant influx two weeks ago was unprecedented, with up to 80,000 people reaching Ceuta, most by swimming across. According to recent official reports, 83 bodies were recovered from the sea. Many of those who arrived returned to Morocco within hours or days, while around 5,000 remained in Ceuta. The incident sparked tensions within the European Union, prompting EU interior ministers to call for stricter action against smugglers and more consistent return
Klinghail lures start-ups with tax breaks
The article discusses a proposal by Klingbeil aimed at attracting start-ups through tax benefits. The focus is on the potential impact of these incentives on the startup ecosystem in Germany. It highlights the intention behind offering such advantages to foster innovation and economic growth. The piece does not provide specific details on the nature of the tax benefits or their expected outcomes but suggests that this initiative could influence the business environment.
Berlin: Plagiarism charges against Justice Senator Badenberg of the CDU
The article reports on plagiarism allegations against Christiane Badenberg, a Justice Senator from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Berlin. The accusations suggest that Badenberg may have used content from other sources without proper attribution. Such claims typically involve scrutiny of her work and could impact her professional standing within the government. The article highlights the controversy surrounding academic integrity in political positions, emphasizing the potential implications for public trust in governmental roles.
With record amounts against the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt
The article reports that record amounts of money are being spent to oppose the AfD (Alternative für Deutschland) in Saxony-Anhalt. This indicates significant financial mobilization against the far-right party in the region, likely through political campaigns or grassroots efforts. The focus is on the scale of funding directed toward countering the AfD’s influence, suggesting heightened political tensions and competition in local politics. The mention of 'rekordsummen' (record sums) underscores the growing importance of financial resources in shaping electoral outcomes and public opinion in the area.