ALTERNATIVE FÜR DEUTSCHLAND (AfD) IN PERSPECTIVE

Founded in early 2013 Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) focused its initial efforts on opposing the Merkel government’s handling of the eurozone crisis. Following Europe's economic downturn in 2008, national deficits and unemployment soared while growth stalled throughout the continent. As the largest economy in Europe, Germany led the charge of bailouts of debt-ridden Southern European countries,and the party attracted voters who believed Merkel’s policies were not in the interest of the German people.