Essen – October 29, 2026 -- Germany's Federal Association of Free Weekly Newspapers (BVDA) will be led by three equal chairpersons, after reporting 2025 net advertising revenue of about €1.157 billion for the sector, roughly 1% below the prior year.
Three publishers replace Alexander Lenders after 13 years
Members elected Anja Kalski of Anzeiger Verlag GmbH (Osterholz-Scharmbeck), Dennis Prien of FUNKE Publishing GmbH (Essen) and Haldun Tuncay of Verlag Parzeller GmbH und Co. KG (Fulda) at the general meeting in Essen on October 27. The restructuring followed the decision by Alexander Lenders, chairman and formerly president, not to stand again after 13 years at the top. Members named him honorary member with the title Honorary President.
The members also elected two deputy chairs. Andreas Müller of Mediahuis Aachen GmbH is treasurer, and Herbert Bergmaier of Münchner Wochenanzeiger is secretary. The chairs and deputies together form the executive board.
Free weekly papers hold 65.1% reach on 42 million copies
In his farewell address, Lenders put weekly distribution at about 42 million free newspapers. Reach held steady at 65.1%.
Third-party inserts reached a record 55% share of total revenue.
Lenders argued that free weeklies carry local topics into households without newspaper subscriptions. He said this matters in a polarized society, citing recent state election results in Saxony-Anhalt and Berlin.
Industry figures praise Lenders for keeping the association united
Müller credited Lenders with keeping the BVDA able to act and together as challenges for the industry grew. Dr. Jörg Eggers, chairman of the BDZV and formerly the BVDA's long-time managing director, said he learned a great deal from Lenders about Rhenish diplomacy.
The general meeting and board elections opened the two-day BVDA Congress in Essen.