How Austria's largest newspaper became a kingmaker by rewriting the rules of political influence

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The Kronen Zeitung is more than a tabloid; it is a political force that has toppled chancellors and reshaped national policy. From its humble origins as a one-crown subscription paper to its modern status as a media juggernaut, the Krone has mastered the art of turning readers into a movement.

Founded in 1900 by Gustav Davis, the Kronen Zeitung initially struggled until its sensational coverage of the 1903 Serbian regicide catapulted it to popularity. After being shut down during the Second World War, it was refounded in 1959 by Hans Dichand. Under his leadership, the paper pioneered aggressive marketing tactics, such as the 'Sonntagsstandln' street-side distribution boxes, and utilized controversial methods to outmaneuver rivals. By the 1990s, the paper had consolidated its dominance through the Mediaprint marketing company, which eventually merged with major magazine groups to control the majority of Austria's print media.

The paper's political influence is profound and often direct. It has been accused of fostering far-right gains and orchestrating the 2008 replacement of Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer with Werner Faymann. In a notable 2008 maneuver, Faymann publicly committed to the paper's demand for popular referendums on EU decisions, a policy shift that secured the Krone's massive support during the subsequent election. Its ability to mobilize voters was evidenced in 2009, when 29% of its readership cast ballots for the populist Hans-Peter Martin, demonstrating the paper's unique capacity to translate editorial stances into electoral outcomes.

Despite its reach, the Krone remains a subject of intense controversy. It has faced accusations of manipulating imagery, such as the 2012 incident where it superimposed a family onto a war-torn background, and has been criticized for its anti-technology stance and selective reporting. While it maintains a massive readership—reaching about three million people in a nation of nine million—its influence is uneven, with deep penetration in the east and limited success in western regions like Vorarlberg. Today, the paper continues to operate as a powerful, often polarizing, institution that blurs the line between journalism and political activism.

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