Changes

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">[https://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">[https://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). [https://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>

A power struggle within the party soon broke out, with Lucke, who wanted the party to remain liberal while 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). [https://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). [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>[https://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>

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>[https://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>