When the political party AFD (Alternative für Deutschland) was founded in February 2013 in a community hall in Oberursel, no one anticipated how much the 18 attendees would change Germany. Initially established as a fiscally conservative party, the AfD has since radicalized through several phases. While Bernd Lucke once considered how to withdraw from the Euro, Björn Höcke now advocates for the "remigration" of people with migrant backgrounds. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, the AfD has steadily gained favor with voters. In Saxony, Thuringia, and Brandenburg, it may become the strongest political force in the upcoming elections.
Eva Kienholz tracks the party's evolution, which has veered increasingly to the right and now openly seeks power in the country. This is an important book for understanding Germany's political landscape.
