GermanyOwnership & classification
Founded: 1945
Ownership
The Süddeutsche Zeitung was first published in Munich on 6 October 1945, the first newspaper licensed by the U.S. military administration in Bavaria. It was controlled for decades by five founding families until 2007, when most sold out to the Stuttgart-based Südwestdeutsche Medien Holding (SWMH), which today holds about 81% of the Süddeutscher Verlag, with founding-family descendants (notably the Friedmanns) retaining the remainder. SWMH's largest shareholder is Medien Union (around 47.5%).
Funding
It is financed commercially through subscriptions, a digital paywall, single-copy sales and advertising; it takes no state or party funding.
Affiliation & stance
SZ is a privately owned quality daily controlled by a commercial publishing holding with no party or state ownership, so it is INDEPENDENT. Its editorial line is liberal centre-left, matching the site's INDEPENDENT type and CENTER_LEFT lean.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Left
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 238
83/100
Factual
83/100
Objective
454
Articles
454
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
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Recent coverage
Have the Swift and Kelce wedding ceremonies begun?
The article reports on the early wedding festivities of pop star Taylor Swift and football player Travis Kelce, which are said to have begun at the Madison Square Garden in New York. According to U.S. media citing sources close to the couple and event organizers, the pair had dinner the night before the main celebration, set to take place later that evening. The area around the pink-lit venue was heavily secured, with police presence and photographers gathering outside. While Swift and Kelce have not publicly commented on the event, several celebrities were spotted nearby, including Lena Dunham and Jack Antonoff. The article also notes that the couple has been engaged since August 2023 and has donated $26 million to charitable causes this week. It highlights their public profiles—Swift as one of music history’s most successful artists and Kelce as a three-time Super Bowl-winning NFL player.
In the tropical Pacific, El Niño conditions have set in, researchers say.
The article reports that researchers from New Zealand’s Earth Sciences organization (ESNZ) have identified conditions consistent with the El Niño climate phenomenon in the tropical Pacific. They warn that impacts on New Zealand’s weather are likely to intensify over the coming months. The ESNZ joined other organizations in Australia, Japan, and the U.S. in confirming the development of El Niño, which is expected to reach strong intensity between July and September. The effects are projected to peak during the Southern Hemisphere summer, spanning late 2023 into early 2024. According to lead researcher Chris Brandolini, this El Niño event is at least comparable in strength to five of the strongest recorded El Niños in modern history. The article outlines regional rainfall expectations, noting potential below-average precipitation in some areas and above-normal levels in others. It also mentions possible temperature fluctuations and increased wind variability later in the year. Additionally, it notes two lower-probability risks: sudden stratospheric warming and the occurrence of a tropical cyclone outside the typical season, both historically linked to El Niño. Brandolini connects the
For three years I lived with Julian Nagelsmann and watched him lose everything.
The article titled '3 Jahre erlebte ich Julian Nagelsmann und sah, wie er alles verlor' (translated as '3 Years Living with Julian Nagelsmann and Watching Him Lose Everything') published by FOCUS online discusses the personal experiences of someone who lived with football coach Julian Nagelsmann over three years and observed his decline. The piece appears to focus on Nagelsmann’s career trajectory, particularly his struggles at Bayern Munich, including controversies surrounding player behavior and team performance. It highlights the emotional and professional challenges he faced during this period. While the article does not provide specific details beyond the general narrative, it suggests a critical perspective on Nagelsmann’s tenure and the pressures he encountered.
Early World Cup exit for Germany: What went wrong?
Germany's football national team suffered an early exit from the World Cup by losing 3:4 to Paraguay in a penalty shootout during the round of 16. This marks the third consecutive failure to advance beyond the group stage at a World Cup, having previously been eliminated in the group phase in 2018 and 2022. The match ended 1:1 after extra time, with Germany's players failing to convert their penalties, including Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade, and Jonathan Tah. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer made strong saves but could not prevent the defeat. Since winning the World Cup in 2014, Germany has not won any knockout game at a World Cup. This was the first loss in a World Cup penalty shootout for the German team, which had previously won all four such encounters. Several key players underperformed, including captain Joshua Kimmich, Florian Wirtz, and Jamal Musiala, who struggled due to injury and poor form. Defensive issues and lack of attacking momentum were also significant factors. Injuries to players like Serge Gnabry and Lennart Karl further weakened the squad. Coach Julian Nagelsmann faced criticism for his tactical decisions, including retaining Kimmich as a right-back despite his struggles
Stock market record: the Dax is up and down
The article discusses recent stock market performance, highlighting Bayer's significant gains linked to a landmark Supreme Court decision regarding Monsanto. It notes that while Bayer's success has contributed to the DAX reaching new record levels above 25,000 points, other factors such as economic reform proposals by the coalition committee are also influencing investor behavior. The piece emphasizes that investors are seeking opportunities amid geopolitical tensions and uncertainty, looking to sectors that might benefit from reforms. However, it acknowledges the risks involved, noting that there are no guarantees but long-term confidence in the stock market remains.
Debate on the firewall: the AfD asks no one these questions
The article discusses two contrasting situations involving the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). The first involves a friendly interaction between AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund and CDU politician Guido Heuer during a public event in Halberstadt, where they appear to have a cordial relationship despite their political differences. This moment sparked controversy, with some criticizing such interactions during the election campaign. Heuer later had to publicly reaffirm his commitment to the 'Unvereinbarkeitsbeschluss' (incompatibility decision), which prohibits cooperation with the AfD. The second situation involves Hans-Thomas Tillschneider, a deputy leader of the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt, who stated in a podcast that the AfD would not consider forming a coalition with the CDU. However, this statement received no significant reaction, unlike similar actions by CDU politicians, which face scrutiny. The article highlights that while the AfD appears divided on the issue of cooperating with the CDU, the public does not hold them accountable in the same way as the CDU.
Serbian President Vucic wants to resign
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced during a large rally in Belgrade that he would step down from his position after serving only a few more weeks. He offered support to his ruling party, the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), ahead of future elections, suggesting his faction would run under the name 'United Serbia,' which echoes Russia's United Russia party. Analysts believe this move does not signal retirement but rather a strategic shift toward seeking the premiership through early parliamentary elections. Vucic has indicated he might call for snap elections later this year, though no specific date was provided. His presidency is largely ceremonial, but he holds significant influence over national decisions. The announcement comes amid pressure from a widespread protest movement sparked by the collapse of a train station canopy in Novi Sad in November 2024, which killed 16 people. Protesters accuse the government of corruption, mismanagement, and incompetence in handling infrastructure projects, and demand early elections.
House in 02763 Zittau, at the Red Height
The article is an advertisement for a house located at An der Roten Höhe in Zittau, Germany (postal code 02763). It appears in the real estate section of the Süddeutsche Zeitung, which is a major German newspaper known for its comprehensive coverage of local and national issues. The ad focuses on property details such as location, size, and potential for renovation, typical elements found in real estate listings. There is no specific mention of political content or controversy related to the property itself.
Apartment on the ground floor at 45663 Recklinghausen, Ortlohstr.
The article mentions a ground-floor apartment located at 45663 Recklinghausen, Ortlohstr., which is part of the SZ Immobilienmarkt section. This appears to be a listing or advertisement related to the real estate market, providing information about a specific property. The location suggests it is in a residential area within the town of Recklinghausen in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Such listings typically include details like price, size, and features of the property, though specifics are not provided in the excerpt. These types of advertisements are common in regional newspapers and provide local residents with options for buying or renting properties.
Renting a warehouse in Bruckneudorf
The article titled 'Lagerhalle mieten in Bruckneudorf' from Süddeutsche Zeitung focuses on the availability of warehouse spaces for rent in Bruckneudorf, a town in Germany. It appears to be part of a broader real estate market report, highlighting commercial property opportunities in the area. The content likely includes information on rental prices, available units, and market trends relevant to businesses seeking storage solutions. As the text is brief and centered around a specific location within the real estate sector, there is no indication of political controversy or bias. The piece serves as a straightforward informational update rather than commentary.
Wimbledon Spielplan 2026: Wann spielt Zverev heute - und wer überträgt im TV und Stream?
The article titled 'Wimbledon Spielplan 2026: Wann spielt Zverev heute - und wer überträgt im TV und Stream?' from Süddeutsche Zeitung provides information about the 2026 Wimbledon tennis schedule, specifically focusing on when Alexander Zverev will be playing and which television and streaming platforms will broadcast the matches. The piece appears to serve as a guide for fans interested in tracking Zverev’s matches and accessing live coverage. It does not delve into political issues or controversial topics, making it a straightforward sports-related update.
Earthquake in Venezuela: Android devices have warned more than 11 million people
In Venezuela, Android smartphones issued earthquake warnings to over 11 million people during recent strong tremors, potentially saving lives. According to the New York Times, citing data from Google, the acceleration sensors in these devices detected shaking three seconds after the earthquakes began, sending alerts six seconds later to areas most affected. Another six seconds later, a larger area including the capital Caracas was warned, with millions of devices receiving notifications six seconds after that. The exact impact of these warnings remains unclear. The country lacks a national earthquake warning system. Two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck early Wednesday evening local time, leaving at least 1,450 dead according to official reports, though unofficial platforms suggest over 47,000 people are still missing. More than 70,000 families now rely on humanitarian aid, with many sleeping outdoors or in emergency shelters. Venezuela was already facing significant challenges before this natural disaster, including political instability following the U.S. military's reported capture and removal of President Nicolás Maduro earlier this year.
World Cup 2026: Austria eliminated - no chance against the big ones
The article reports that Austria has been eliminated from contention for the 2026 World Cup, highlighting their lack of chances against the top teams. The piece focuses on Austria's early exit from the qualification process, emphasizing their inability to compete with larger, more established football nations. It suggests that Austria's position in international football remains weak compared to major powers. The tone of the article underscores the challenges faced by smaller national teams in global competitions.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
