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The '''Alternative for Germany''' (AfD) is a conservative, right-wing [[Germany|German]] political party. It is most known for its [[Euroskeptic]] views.

The '''Alternative for Germany''' (AfD) is a [[national liberalism|national liberal]], right-wing [[Germany|German]] political party. It is most known for its [[Euroskeptic]] views.

==History==

==History==

Under Petry's leadership, the AfD continued to grow dramatically, winning numerous seats in state parliaments.<ref name="Telegraph"/><ref name="DW">[http://www.dw.com/en/what-is-the-alternative-for-germany/a-19527050 What is the Alternative for Germany?]. ''DW''. September 5, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref><ref name="Wa.T.">Moulson, Geir (September 4, 2016). [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/sep/4/alternative-germany-party-wins-state-election/ Anger over Merkel’s Syria refugee policy drives win for Alternative for Germany party]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref> The AfD formed an alliance with the [[Freedom Party of Austria]] in 2016 due to their shared Eurosceptic views.<ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36504307 Nationalist Austria-Germany summit held on Zugspitze summit]. ''BBC''. June 10, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref>

Under Petry's leadership, the AfD continued to grow dramatically, winning numerous seats in state parliaments.<ref name="Telegraph"/><ref name="DW">[http://www.dw.com/en/what-is-the-alternative-for-germany/a-19527050 What is the Alternative for Germany?]. ''DW''. September 5, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref><ref name="Wa.T.">Moulson, Geir (September 4, 2016). [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/sep/4/alternative-germany-party-wins-state-election/ Anger over Merkel’s Syria refugee policy drives win for Alternative for Germany party]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref> The AfD formed an alliance with the [[Freedom Party of Austria]] in 2016 due to their shared Eurosceptic views.<ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36504307 Nationalist Austria-Germany summit held on Zugspitze summit]. ''BBC''. June 10, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref>

Despite AfD's shift to the right under Petry, she supported making alliances with the establishment German parties, something which brought her under much criticism from others in her party. Alexander Gauland and Alice Weidel were elected as AfD's top candidates for the 2017 general election instead of Petry, who chose not to run.<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/04/23/germanys-populist-afd-party-elects-new-right-wing-leaders/ Germany’s Populist AfD Party Elects New Right Wing Leaders]. ''Breitbart News''. April 23, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2017.</ref>

Despite AfD's shift to the right under Petry, she supported making alliances with the establishment German parties and hoped that the AfD would one day be a party of government, something which brought her under much criticism from others in her party. Alexander Gauland and Alice Weidel (a '[[homosexual|bisexual]]') were elected as AfD's top candidates for the 2017 general election instead of Petry, who chose not to run.<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/04/23/germanys-populist-afd-party-elects-new-right-wing-leaders/ Germany’s Populist AfD Party Elects New Right Wing Leaders]. ''Breitbart News''. April 23, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2017.</ref>

While the AfD was unable to gain any seats in the German national parliament in the 2013 election, it gained many seats in the European Parliament in 2014.  It is in a strong position for the 2017 elections and is likely to gain seats within the Bundestag.

While the AfD was unable to gain any seats in the German national parliament in the 2013 election, it gained many seats in the European Parliament in 2014.  It first entered the Bundestag in the 2017 election after taking a historic third place.

==Views==

==Views==

The AfD strongly opposes [[Angela Merkel]]'s reckless and leftist migration policy.<ref name="Telegraph"/><ref name="Wa.T."/> It does not believe [[Islam]] to be compatible with Western society.<ref name="Telegraph"/> The party has connections to [[Pegida]], which strongly opposes the Islamification of Europe.<ref name="Germany'sFarage"/><ref name="DW"/>

The AfD strongly opposes [[Angela Merkel]]'s reckless and leftist migration policy.<ref name="Telegraph"/><ref name="Wa.T."/> It does not believe [[Islam]] to be compatible with Western society.<ref name="Telegraph"/> The party has connections to [[Pegida]], which strongly opposes the Islamification of Europe.<ref name="Germany'sFarage"/><ref name="DW"/>

Critics of the AfD, who mainly comprise [[liberal]]s and the [[establishment]], consider the AfD to be overrun by neo-Nazis or Nazi-sympathizers. One example held by critics is a January 2017 speech made in [[Dresden]] by AfD member Björn Höcke, considered by many to be racist and pro-Holocaust. Many [[conservative]]s disagree, arguing that the content of Höcke's speech may have been poorly-worded, but it was patriotic and pro-German rather than Neo-Nazi. While some AfD members (including party leader Petry) condemned his speech and launched a party exclusion trial of Höcke, many other AfD members supported him and his speech, such as the AfD Saarland.

Critics of the AfD, who mainly comprise [[liberal]]s and the [[establishment]], consider the AfD to be overrun by neo-Nazis or Nazi-sympathizers. One example held by critics is a January 2017 speech made in [[Dresden]] by AfD member Björn Höcke, considered by many to be [[anti-semetic]] and pro-Holocaust. Some [[conservative]]s disagree, arguing that the content of Höcke's speech may have been poorly-worded, but it was patriotic and pro-German rather than Neo-Nazi. While some AfD members (including party leader Petry) condemned his speech and launched a party exclusion trial of Höcke, many other AfD members supported him and his speech, such as the AfD Saarland.

==See also==

==See also==

[[Category:Germany]]

[[Category:Germany]]

[[Category:Political Parties in Germany]]

[[Category:Political Parties in Germany]]

[[Category:European Politics]]

[[Category:European Politics]]

[[Category:Euroskepticism]]

[[Category:Euroskepticism]]