Changes

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). [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>

A power struggle within the party soon broke out, with Lucke, who wanted the party to focus on an anti-Euro policy, being opposed by Frauke Petry and her conservative, right-wing faction that emphasized law and order, [[European immigration|immigration]], conservative social views, and [[Islam]].<ref name="Germany'sFarage"/>

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 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>