Ownership & classification
Founded: 1997
Ownership
Marianne is a French political weekly founded in 1997 by journalists Jean-François Kahn and Maurice Szafran. Since 2018 a roughly 91% controlling stake has been held by Czech Media Invest (CMI), the media arm of Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský (whose fortune comes from the EPH energy group); CMI acquired it as part of a portfolio bought from France's Lagardère. Křetínský is one of the largest foreign owners in the French media market.
Funding
Marianne is funded commercially through newsstand and subscription sales and advertising, with its owner CMI/Křetínský providing the controlling capital and financial backing.
Affiliation & stance
Editorially Marianne is a souverainiste, broadly centre-left-to-republican title with no formal party tie. However, because a controlling stake is held by a single foreign billionaire (Křetínský), who journalists have accused of interfering editorially, the outlet is better classed DEPENDENT (oligarch-controlled) rather than the site's current INDEPENDENT tag.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Lean Progressivebased on 283
65/100
Factual
57/100
Objective
298
Articles
298
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

48 48 hours of hell 48: traumatized high school students released from police custody
The article reports on the traumatic experience of several high school students who were detained during a protest and spent 48 hours in police custody. The students reportedly emerged from interrogation with psychological distress, raising concerns about the treatment they received while in custody. The piece highlights the emotional impact on young people involved in demonstrations and questions the conditions under which they were held.

Primary from the left: Ségolène the Vengeful
The article reports on a heated exchange during a televised debate on BFMTV, where former presidential candidate Ségolène Royal accused her rival, Emmanuel Macron, of being sexist. The accusation came shortly after Macron was criticized for allegedly making a 'dance of the belly' gesture towards her, which Royal interpreted as inappropriate. The incident highlights tensions within French politics, particularly around gender dynamics and political rivalry.

Flavio Bolsonaro tops Brazil's presidential election tally: should we be surprised (again)?
In the first round of Brazil's presidential and legislative elections on October 4, Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, unexpectedly led with over 47% of the vote, surpassing pre-election polls which had predicted a close race between him and leftist candidate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. This outcome has surprised analysts, who attribute the discrepancy to factors such as high voter abstention rates (over 21%) and a 'shameful vote,' where some voters did not admit their support for Bolsonaro due to stigma. Additionally, there was a 'strategic vote' where supporters of third-party candidates shifted to Bolsonaro at the last minute. Despite controversies surrounding his family’s ties to paramilitary groups and past governance issues, Flavio Bolsonaro appears poised to advance to the second round against Lula, marking a potential end to the Workers' Party's era in Brazilian politics.

Bernard Lahire: 'Researchers in the humanities and social sciences should read more about the history of science'
Bernard Lahire, a sociologist, raises the question 'Why do we understand the world?' in his latest book. He argues that researchers in social sciences should read more history of science, drawing on 'hard' sciences like biology, physics, and chemistry to highlight weaknesses in current social research.

For the candidates in the left primary, it's justice everywhere, production nowhere
The article discusses the lack of focus on economic production during debates among left-wing candidates in France's left primary election. It notes that discussions largely ignored a historically leftist value, suggesting a potential shift or neglect in priorities within the left-wing political discourse.

Adèle Van Reeth: "One hour to yourself" to escape from the forward flight
Adèle Van Reeth, former director of France Inter, discusses her experience retreating to a monastery for several days in her book 'Une heure à soi.' She reflects on the modern woman's struggle to find time away from constant work, family responsibilities, and daily obligations. The piece explores the challenges of escaping the relentless pace of contemporary life and examines society’s difficulty in pausing to reflect. Van Reeth uses her personal retreat as a lens to analyze broader societal issues related to time management and the pressures faced by women.

The European Union is the world's largest exporter of goods and services, and the world's largest exporter of goods and services.
The article discusses Christophe Barthès, the mayor of Carcassonne, who has become known for his provocative behavior and controversial actions since taking office. He is described as an 'agriculturist' turned mayor whose early months in power have been marked by controversy. The piece explores his various incidents and the debates they have sparked. The article aims to investigate who Barthès really is and the impact of his leadership style on the city.

Sentenced to 26 years in prison, Loïk Le Priol appeals
Loïk Le Priol, un homme condamné à 26 ans de réclusion pour meurtre le 25 septembre, a fait appel à sa sentence ce lundi 5 octobre. La cour avait refusé de qualifier son acte d'assassinat, en estimant qu'il n'y avait pas de préméditation. Son coaccusé, Romain Bouvier, a également décidé de faire appel. Cette décision ouvre la voie à une nouvelle procédure judiciaire qui pourrait modifier la sanction.

Two thousand euros a month in retirement, is that really being rich?
The French government has set a threshold of 2,034 euros per month for pensions, targeting seniors whose retirement income exceeds this amount. However, this threshold is misleading because some individuals who meet this criterion are actually among France’s lower-income groups, while others have significantly higher overall incomes. The article explains why this distinction matters and highlights the complexities behind the government’s approach to pension policies.

Brigitte, 68, retired hospital administrator: "I never buy anything on credit, waiting is part of the purchase"
Brigitte, une femme de 68 ans retraitée du secteur hospitalier, partage ses méthodes d'économie en se concentrant sur l'organisation, l'achat de produits de qualité et la réparation des objets. Elle affirme que l'attente est un aspect naturel de l'achat, ce qui reflète sa philosophie de vie axée sur l'autonomie financière et la durabilité.

Is it really possible to block the price of fuel?
The article discusses the feasibility of capping fuel prices, noting that neighboring countries have implemented such measures. It suggests that setting a price of 1.70 euros per liter, as proposed by LFI, could lead to shortages at gas stations. The piece also raises concerns that long-term price controls might benefit companies like TotalEnergies.

In the United States, these Christian Democrats who want to argue with Trump on the ground of faith
The article discusses several pastors and a seminarian running as Democrats in the midterm elections in the United States, emphasizing messages of compassion and solidarity to appeal to voters disillusioned with the MAGA movement's arrogance. These candidates aim to position themselves as moral leaders by contrasting their values with those of President Trump and his supporters. The focus is on using faith-based rhetoric to gain traction in a politically polarized environment.

Price pressures have reduced the number of French ultra-rich who send their children to boarding schools in England
The article discusses how French wealthy families, despite their financial resources, are increasingly unable to send their children to British boarding schools due to rising costs. It highlights the idealization of these institutions by affluent French parents who seek international exposure and benevolence for their children, but notes that economic pressures are limiting access. The piece suggests a growing disconnect between aspiration and affordability among the upper class.













