Changes

==History==

==History==

The AfD was founded in 2013 by economics professor Bernd Lucke.<ref name="Germany'sFarage">Zeronian, Sarkis (July 5, 2016). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2015/07/05/germanys-farage-becomes-leader-of-eurosceptic-alternative-for-germany-party/ ‘Germany’s Farage’ Becomes Leader Of Eurosceptic Alternative For Germany Party]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref> Although the party was relatively conservative and [[Euroskeptic]] (it mainly opposed the Eurozone<ref name="BBC"/>), it was a neo-liberal party that attracted middle class opponents of the [[Eurozone]].<ref name="Germany'sFarage"/> The party made several gains during this time, with seven AfD members being elected to the [[European Parliament]] in 2014.<ref name="BBC">[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37274201 What does Alternative for Germany (AfD) want?]. ''BBC''. September 5, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref>

The AfD was founded in 2013 by economics professor Bernd Lucke.<ref name="Germany'sFarage">Zeronian, Sarkis (July 5, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2015/07/05/germanys-farage-becomes-leader-of-eurosceptic-alternative-for-germany-party/ ‘Germany’s Farage’ Becomes Leader Of Eurosceptic Alternative For Germany Party]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref> Although the party was relatively conservative and [[Euroskeptic]] (it mainly opposed the Eurozone<ref name="BBC"/>), it was a neo-liberal party that attracted middle class opponents of the [[Eurozone]].<ref name="Germany'sFarage"/> The party made several gains during this time, with seven AfD members being elected to the [[European Parliament]] in 2014.<ref name="BBC">[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37274201 What does Alternative for Germany (AfD) want?]. ''BBC''. September 5, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref>

A power struggle within the party soon broke out, with Lucke, who wanted the party to remain liberal with opposing the Euro, his liberal course being opposed by Frauke Petry and her conservative, right-wing faction that emphasized law and order, [[European immigration|immigration]], conservative social views, and criticism of [[Islam]].<ref name="Germany'sFarage"/> In the AfD party elections of July 2015, Petry won 68 percent of the vote, becoming the new leader of the party.<ref name="Germany'sFarage"/> The liberal Lucke subsequently left the party and formed his own.<ref name="BBC"/> Additionally, five of the party's seven MEP's left the party.<ref name="BBC"/> The AfD quickly adopted Petry's conservative, right-wing populist agenda, and it continued its support for a referendum over leaving the Eurozone.<ref name="BBC"/><ref name="Telegraph">Huggler, Justin (September 4, 2016). [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/04/germanys-far-right-afd-unseats-angela-merkels-party-in-key-regio/ Germany's far-right AfD hands defeat to Angela Merkel's party in key regional vote]. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref> In October 2017, Petry left the AfD and founded the Blue Party, intended to promote a more moderate and [[establishment]] "conservatism."<ref>Hale, Virginia (October13, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/10/13/former-afd-leader-launches-new-party-appealing-moderate-conservatives/ Former Populist Leader Launches Party Appealing to ‘Moderate Conservatives’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 13, 2017.</ref>

A power struggle within the party soon broke out, with Lucke, who wanted the party to remain liberal with opposing the Euro, his liberal course being opposed by Frauke Petry and her conservative, right-wing faction that emphasized law and order, [[European immigration|immigration]], conservative social views, and criticism of [[Islam]].<ref name="Germany'sFarage"/> In the AfD party elections of July 2015, Petry won 68 percent of the vote, becoming the new leader of the party.<ref name="Germany'sFarage"/> The liberal Lucke subsequently left the party and formed his own.<ref name="BBC"/> Additionally, five of the party's seven MEP's left the party.<ref name="BBC"/> The AfD quickly adopted Petry's conservative, right-wing populist agenda, and it continued its support for a referendum over leaving the Eurozone.<ref name="BBC"/><ref name="Telegraph">Huggler, Justin (September 4, 2016). [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/04/germanys-far-right-afd-unseats-angela-merkels-party-in-key-regio/ Germany's far-right AfD hands defeat to Angela Merkel's party in key regional vote]. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref> In October 2017, Petry left the AfD and founded the Blue Party, intended to promote a more moderate and [[establishment]] "conservatism."<ref>Hale, Virginia (October13, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/10/13/former-afd-leader-launches-new-party-appealing-moderate-conservatives/ Former Populist Leader Launches Party Appealing to ‘Moderate Conservatives’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 13, 2017.</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 with the aim of eventually forming a governing coalition with them, 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>

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). [https://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 with the aim of eventually forming a governing coalition with them, 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>[https://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 first entered the Bundestag in the 2017 election after taking a historic third place with nearly 13% of the vote, while Angela Merkel's CDU received its worst result since 1949.<ref>Multiple references:

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 with nearly 13% of the vote, while Angela Merkel's CDU received its worst result since 1949.<ref>Multiple references:

*Tomlinson, Chris (September 25, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/09/25/merkel-scores-pyrrhic-victory-populists-beat-expectations/ Merkel’s Pyrrhic Victory: Worst Party Performance Since 1949 As Populist AfD Beat Expectations]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 25, 2017.

*Tomlinson, Chris (September 25, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/09/25/merkel-scores-pyrrhic-victory-populists-beat-expectations/ Merkel’s Pyrrhic Victory: Worst Party Performance Since 1949 As Populist AfD Beat Expectations]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 25, 2017.

*Dettmer, Jamie (September 25, 2017). [https://www.voanews.com/a/germany-elections-afd/4043104.html Germany Shaken by Far-right Political Earthquake]. ''Voice of America''. Retrieved September 25, 2017.

*Dettmer, Jamie (September 25, 2017). [https://www.voanews.com/a/germany-elections-afd/4043104.html Germany Shaken by Far-right Political Earthquake]. ''Voice of America''. Retrieved September 25, 2017.

*Dettmer, Jamie (September 25, 2017). [https://www.voanews.com/a/merkel-win-seen-as-inevitable/4042028.html Merkel Wins Historic Fourth Term But Far-right Populists Surge]. ''Voice of America''. Retrieved September 25, 2017.

*Dettmer, Jamie (September 25, 2017). [https://www.voanews.com/a/merkel-win-seen-as-inevitable/4042028.html Merkel Wins Historic Fourth Term But Far-right Populists Surge]. ''Voice of America''. Retrieved September 25, 2017.

*Ridgwell, Henry (September 25, 2017). [https://www.voanews.com/a/germany-far-right-reclaim-country-angela-merkel-coalition-talks/4043603.html German Far-right Pledges to 'Reclaim Country' as Merkel Begins Tough Coalition Talks]. ''Voice of America''. Retrieved September 25, 2017.

*Ridgwell, Henry (September 25, 2017). [https://www.voanews.com/a/germany-far-right-reclaim-country-angela-merkel-coalition-talks/4043603.html German Far-right Pledges to 'Reclaim Country' as Merkel Begins Tough Coalition Talks]. ''Voice of America''. Retrieved September 25, 2017.

*Chazan, Guy (September 24, 2017). [https://www.ft.com/content/d18213e0-a105-11e7-b797-b61809486fe2 Nationalist AfD make historic breakthrough in German elections]. ''Financial Times''. Retrieved September 25, 2017.</ref> The AfD elected a greater proportion of immigrant MPs than Merkel's CDU.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-election-immigration/germanys-far-right-afd-has-more-immigrant-mps-than-merkels-conservatives-idUSKCN1C42GZ Germany's far-right AfD has more immigrant MPs than Merkel's conservatives]. ''Reuters''. September 29, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.</ref> After the CDU and SDP formed another grand coalition government,<ref>Multiple references:

*Chazan, Guy (September 24, 2017). [https://www.ft.com/content/d18213e0-a105-11e7-b797-b61809486fe2 Nationalist AfD make historic breakthrough in German elections]. ''Financial Times''. Retrieved September 25, 2017.</ref> The AfD elected a greater proportion of immigrant MPs than Merkel's CDU.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-election-immigration/germanys-far-right-afd-has-more-immigrant-mps-than-merkels-conservatives-idUSKCN1C42GZ Germany's far-right AfD has more immigrant MPs than Merkel's conservatives]. ''Reuters''. September 29, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.</ref> After the CDU and SDP formed another grand coalition government,<ref>Multiple references:

*[http://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/03/05/merkel-welcomes-german-govt-deal-handing-4th-term/ Merkel Welcomes German Govt Deal Handing Her 4th Term]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 6, 2018.

*[https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/03/05/merkel-welcomes-german-govt-deal-handing-4th-term/ Merkel Welcomes German Govt Deal Handing Her 4th Term]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 6, 2018.

*Karnitschnig, Matthew (March 4, 2018). [https://www.politico.eu/article/germanys-social-democrats-endorse-grand-coalition/ Germany gets new government]. ''Politico''. Retrieved March 6, 2018.</ref> the AfD became the official opposition party.<ref>Oltermann, Philip (February 7, 2018). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/07/germanys-rightwing-afd-gears-up-to-play-noisy-opposition-role Germany's rightwing AfD gears up to play noisy opposition role]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved March 6, 2018.</ref>

*Karnitschnig, Matthew (March 4, 2018). [https://www.politico.eu/article/germanys-social-democrats-endorse-grand-coalition/ Germany gets new government]. ''Politico''. Retrieved March 6, 2018.</ref> the AfD became the official opposition party.<ref>Oltermann, Philip (February 7, 2018). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/07/germanys-rightwing-afd-gears-up-to-play-noisy-opposition-role Germany's rightwing AfD gears up to play noisy opposition role]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved March 6, 2018.</ref>

In 2018, polling found that the AfD had the second-highest level of public support of any German party,<ref>Multiple references:

In 2018, polling found that the AfD had the second-highest level of public support of any German party,<ref>Multiple references:

*Anderson, Emma (February 19, 2018). [https://www.politico.eu/article/afd-surpasses-spd-for-first-time-in-german-poll/ AfD surpasses SPD for first time in German poll]. ''Politico''. Retrieved February 19, 2018.

*Anderson, Emma (February 19, 2018). [https://www.politico.eu/article/afd-surpasses-spd-for-first-time-in-german-poll/ AfD surpasses SPD for first time in German poll]. ''Politico''. Retrieved February 19, 2018.

*Deacon, Liam (February 19, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/02/19/poll-germany-afd-populists-second-most-popular-party/ Poll: Germany’s AfD Populists Second Most Popular Party for First Time]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 19, 2018.

*Deacon, Liam (February 19, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/02/19/poll-germany-afd-populists-second-most-popular-party/ Poll: Germany’s AfD Populists Second Most Popular Party for First Time]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 19, 2018.

See also:

See also:

*Davis, Austin (February 20, 2018). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/feb/20/alternative-germany-afd-rises-angela-merkel-strugg/ Far-right Alternative for Germany rises as Merkel struggles for coalition]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved February 20, 2018.

*Davis, Austin (February 20, 2018). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/feb/20/alternative-germany-afd-rises-angela-merkel-strugg/ Far-right Alternative for Germany rises as Merkel struggles for coalition]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved February 20, 2018.

*Williams, Thomas D. (June 25, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/25/sunday-poll-german-populist-afd-party-hits-record-high-popularity/ Sunday Poll: German Populist AfD Party Hits Record High Popularity]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 25, 2018.</ref> and it became the largest party in eastern Germany.<ref>Multiple references:

*Williams, Thomas D. (June 25, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/25/sunday-poll-german-populist-afd-party-hits-record-high-popularity/ Sunday Poll: German Populist AfD Party Hits Record High Popularity]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 25, 2018.</ref> and it became the largest party in eastern Germany.<ref>Multiple references:

*Tomlinson, Chris (September 8, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/09/08/anti-mass-migration-alternative-for-germany-now-most-popular-party-in-east-germany/ Anti-Mass Migration Alternative for Germany Now Most Popular Party in East Germany]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 8, 2018.

*Tomlinson, Chris (September 8, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/09/08/anti-mass-migration-alternative-for-germany-now-most-popular-party-in-east-germany/ Anti-Mass Migration Alternative for Germany Now Most Popular Party in East Germany]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 8, 2018.

*Cat, Laura (September 7, 2018). [https://voiceofeurope.com/2018/09/right-wing-afd-party-keeps-growing-and-is-now-most-popular-in-east-germany/ Right-wing AfD party keeps growing and is now most popular in East Germany]. ''Voice of Europe''. Retrieved September 8, 2018.</ref> It receives relatively strong support from blue-collar workers.<ref>Dörre, Klaus (April 17, 2018). [http://thehill.com/opinion/international/383555-distant-cousins-trumpism-and-germanys-right-wing-labor-movement Distant cousins: 'Trumpism' and Germany's right-wing labor movement]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved April 17, 2018.</ref>

*Cat, Laura (September 7, 2018). [https://voiceofeurope.com/2018/09/right-wing-afd-party-keeps-growing-and-is-now-most-popular-in-east-germany/ Right-wing AfD party keeps growing and is now most popular in East Germany]. ''Voice of Europe''. Retrieved September 8, 2018.</ref> It receives relatively strong support from blue-collar workers.<ref>Dörre, Klaus (April 17, 2018). [https://thehill.com/opinion/international/383555-distant-cousins-trumpism-and-germanys-right-wing-labor-movement Distant cousins: 'Trumpism' and Germany's right-wing labor movement]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved April 17, 2018.</ref>

==Views==

==Views==

The AfD is strongly Eurosceptic and opposes the centralization of the socialist and globalist [[European Union]].<ref name="BBC"/> It supports leaving the EU if the socialistic organization does not reform and discontinue its centralization policies.<ref name="BBC"/> The party is similar in EU policy to other right-wing parties in Europe. Additionally, the AfD is pro-direct democracy and anti-establishment.<ref name="BBC"/>

The AfD is strongly Eurosceptic and opposes the centralization of the socialist and globalist [[European Union]].<ref name="BBC"/> It supports leaving the EU if the socialistic organization does not reform and discontinue its centralization policies.<ref name="BBC"/> The party is similar in EU policy to other right-wing parties in Europe. Additionally, the AfD is pro-direct democracy and anti-establishment.<ref name="BBC"/>

The AfD strongly opposes [[Angela Merkel]]'s reckless and [[Open borders|leftist migration policy]].<ref name="Telegraph"/><ref name="Wa.T."/> It does not believe [[Islam]] to be compatible with Western society.<ref name="Telegraph"/><ref>Tomlinson, Chris (April 19, 2016). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/04/19/council-muslims-calls-afd-nazis-minaret-ban/ AfD Under Fire: ‘We Are a Christian State, Islam is a Foreign Body… Euro-Islam Does Not Exist’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 8, 2018.</ref> However, the AfD accepts "Muslims who accept and embrace our liberal secular society" rather than "political Islam."<ref name="ExclusiveStorch"/> The party has connections to [[Pegida]], which strongly opposes the Islamification of Europe,<ref name="Germany'sFarage"/><ref name="DW"/> and it has proposed bans on minarets, the Islamic call to prayer, and halal slaughter.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (March 12, 2016). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/03/12/germanys-afd-announces-minaret-call-to-prayer-halal-slaughter-ban-ahead-of-sundays-crucial-elections/ Germany’s AfD Announces Minaret, Call To Prayer, Halal Slaughter Ban Ahead Of Sunday’s Crucial Elections]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 8, 2018.</ref>

The AfD strongly opposes [[Angela Merkel]]'s reckless and [[Open borders|leftist migration policy]].<ref name="Telegraph"/><ref name="Wa.T."/> It does not believe [[Islam]] to be compatible with Western society.<ref name="Telegraph"/><ref>Tomlinson, Chris (April 19, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/04/19/council-muslims-calls-afd-nazis-minaret-ban/ AfD Under Fire: ‘We Are a Christian State, Islam is a Foreign Body… Euro-Islam Does Not Exist’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 8, 2018.</ref> However, the AfD accepts "Muslims who accept and embrace our liberal secular society" rather than "political Islam."<ref name="ExclusiveStorch"/> The party has connections to [[Pegida]], which strongly opposes the Islamification of Europe,<ref name="Germany'sFarage"/><ref name="DW"/> and it has proposed bans on minarets, the Islamic call to prayer, and halal slaughter.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (March 12, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/03/12/germanys-afd-announces-minaret-call-to-prayer-halal-slaughter-ban-ahead-of-sundays-crucial-elections/ Germany’s AfD Announces Minaret, Call To Prayer, Halal Slaughter Ban Ahead Of Sunday’s Crucial Elections]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 8, 2018.</ref>

The AfD strongly supports [[Israel]],<ref>Ahren, Raphael (September 24, 2017). [http://www.timesofisrael.com/loathed-by-jews-germanys-far-right-afd-loves-the-jewish-state/ Loathed by Jews, Germany’s far-right AfD loves the Jewish state]. ''The Times of Israel''. Retrieved September 2, 2018.</ref> and former [[Mossad]] officer Rafael Eitan, who led the operation to capture [[Adolf Eichmann]], publicly praised the party.<ref>Helmhold, Juliane (Feburary 4, 2018). [https://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Former-Mossad-agent-praises-German-nationalist-ultra-right-party-AfD-540623 Former Mossad Agent Praises German Nationalist Ultra-Right Party AfD]. ''The Jerusalem Post''. Retrieved September 2, 2018.</ref> It supported U.S. President [[Donald Trump]]'s decision to move the US embassy from [[Tel Aviv]] to [[Jerusalem]],<ref>Ahren, Raphael (April 17, 2018). [https://www.timesofisrael.com/german-far-right-mp-pushes-recognition-of-jerusalem-as-israels-capital/ German far-right MP pushes recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital]. ''Times of Israel''. Retrieved September 2, 2018.</ref> though it also supports [[Iran nuclear deal]].<ref>Chase, Jefferson (May 8, 2018). [https://www.dw.com/en/iran-nuclear-deal-germanys-special-role-and-plans/a-43701214 Iran nuclear deal: Germany's special role and plans]. ''Deutsche Welle''. Retrieved September 2, 2018.</ref>

The AfD strongly supports [[Israel]],<ref>Ahren, Raphael (September 24, 2017). [http://www.timesofisrael.com/loathed-by-jews-germanys-far-right-afd-loves-the-jewish-state/ Loathed by Jews, Germany’s far-right AfD loves the Jewish state]. ''The Times of Israel''. Retrieved September 2, 2018.</ref> and former [[Mossad]] officer Rafael Eitan, who led the operation to capture [[Adolf Eichmann]], publicly praised the party.<ref>Helmhold, Juliane (Feburary 4, 2018). [https://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Former-Mossad-agent-praises-German-nationalist-ultra-right-party-AfD-540623 Former Mossad Agent Praises German Nationalist Ultra-Right Party AfD]. ''The Jerusalem Post''. Retrieved September 2, 2018.</ref> It supported U.S. President [[Donald Trump]]'s decision to move the US embassy from [[Tel Aviv]] to [[Jerusalem]],<ref>Ahren, Raphael (April 17, 2018). [https://www.timesofisrael.com/german-far-right-mp-pushes-recognition-of-jerusalem-as-israels-capital/ German far-right MP pushes recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital]. ''Times of Israel''. Retrieved September 2, 2018.</ref> though it also supports [[Iran nuclear deal]].<ref>Chase, Jefferson (May 8, 2018). [https://www.dw.com/en/iran-nuclear-deal-germanys-special-role-and-plans/a-43701214 Iran nuclear deal: Germany's special role and plans]. ''Deutsche Welle''. Retrieved September 2, 2018.</ref>

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 also falsely label the party terms such as "far-right",<ref name="JasperTNA"/> despite its policies being [[conservative]] and supporting Christian values.<ref name="ExclusiveStorch">Williams, Thomas D. (September 29, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/09/29/exclusive-interview-german-populist-afd-leader-beatrix-von-storch/ Exclusive Interview with German Populist AfD Leader Beatrix Von Storch]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 8, 2018.</ref>

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 also falsely label the party terms such as "far-right",<ref name="JasperTNA"/> despite its policies being [[conservative]] and supporting Christian values.<ref name="ExclusiveStorch">Williams, Thomas D. (September 29, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/09/29/exclusive-interview-german-populist-afd-leader-beatrix-von-storch/ Exclusive Interview with German Populist AfD Leader Beatrix Von Storch]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 8, 2018.</ref>

==See also==

==See also==

==Further reading==

==Further reading==

*Williams, Thomas D. (September 29, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/09/29/exclusive-interview-german-populist-afd-leader-beatrix-von-storch/ Exclusive Interview with German Populist AfD Leader Beatrix Von Storch]. ''Breitbart News''.

*Williams, Thomas D. (September 29, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/09/29/exclusive-interview-german-populist-afd-leader-beatrix-von-storch/ Exclusive Interview with German Populist AfD Leader Beatrix Von Storch]. ''Breitbart News''.

==External links==

==External links==