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Liberals quit Alternative for Germany party as it embraces a domestic agenda Liberals quit Alternative for Germany party as it embraces a domestic agenda
(about 20 hours later)
In Conservative circles, they may still be regarded as "polite German professors who want to bring back the Deutschmark" (Boris Johnson). But the political orientation of Alternative für Deutschland has been subject to u-turns and fierce infighting over its policy direction since the party was founded in 2013 – and the outcome may come as a surprise to their new colleagues in the European Parliament.In Conservative circles, they may still be regarded as "polite German professors who want to bring back the Deutschmark" (Boris Johnson). But the political orientation of Alternative für Deutschland has been subject to u-turns and fierce infighting over its policy direction since the party was founded in 2013 – and the outcome may come as a surprise to their new colleagues in the European Parliament.
For a start, the AfD no longer calls for the reintroduction of Germany's old currency. While Lucke had in March 2013 said that a return to the D-Mark "should not be a taboo", the party's manifesto for the European elections (pdf) calls only for weaker European economies to leave the currency union and suggests that "stability-oriented euro countries should together establish a smaller monetary system resembling that specified in the Maastricht treaty".For a start, the AfD no longer calls for the reintroduction of Germany's old currency. While Lucke had in March 2013 said that a return to the D-Mark "should not be a taboo", the party's manifesto for the European elections (pdf) calls only for weaker European economies to leave the currency union and suggests that "stability-oriented euro countries should together establish a smaller monetary system resembling that specified in the Maastricht treaty".
Since concerns about the stability of the eurozone have vanished from the forefront of many Germans' minds, the AfD has partially realigned itself to a domestic agenda. In recent months, prominent figures from the liberal wing such as the spokesperson Dagmar Metzger have severed their ties with the party, complaining that Christian fundamentalist elements in the party were wielding too much influence.Since concerns about the stability of the eurozone have vanished from the forefront of many Germans' minds, the AfD has partially realigned itself to a domestic agenda. In recent months, prominent figures from the liberal wing such as the spokesperson Dagmar Metzger have severed their ties with the party, complaining that Christian fundamentalist elements in the party were wielding too much influence.
Franz Niggemeier, a former AfD chairman in Berlin's Tempelhof district, wrote on his website that he had left the party because it was "moving in a rightward direction toward illiberalism, with a strong tendency to discriminate against minority groups". Franz Niggemann, a former AfD chairman in Berlin's Tempelhof district, wrote on his website that he had left the party because it was "moving in a rightward direction toward illiberalism, with a strong tendency to discriminate against minority groups".
In May, the economist Wolfgang Glomb left the party with a parting shot at its economic credentials, describing the AfD's eurozone policies as "nonsense, economically catastrophic".In May, the economist Wolfgang Glomb left the party with a parting shot at its economic credentials, describing the AfD's eurozone policies as "nonsense, economically catastrophic".
Bernd Lucke, the party's leader and a self-professed Calvinist, has reiterated in interviews that he is "not a liberal", while new MEP Beatrix von Storch, who is considered one of the leading voices of party's conservative faction, frequently asserts that she sees the AfD as founded on a "Christian view of humanity".Bernd Lucke, the party's leader and a self-professed Calvinist, has reiterated in interviews that he is "not a liberal", while new MEP Beatrix von Storch, who is considered one of the leading voices of party's conservative faction, frequently asserts that she sees the AfD as founded on a "Christian view of humanity".
Von Storch has described support networks for young gay people at German schools as "forced sexualisation" (pdf). It will be interesting to see whether the German eurosceptics' stance on gay marriage can be reconciled with that of David Cameron's Tories.Von Storch has described support networks for young gay people at German schools as "forced sexualisation" (pdf). It will be interesting to see whether the German eurosceptics' stance on gay marriage can be reconciled with that of David Cameron's Tories.
There are policy areas where it is even harder to see the British and German MEPs pursuing a common line. Unlike the Conservatives, Alternative für Deutschland rejects outright the free trade agreement between Europe and the US in its current form. 83% of its members are against the deal, a higher percentage than among members of Germany's leftwing Die Linke party.The AfD shares another tendency with the German left: during the Ukrainian crisis, the party became one of the most vocal critics of the role played by the EU and US. Alexander Gauland, one of its founding members and a deputy spokesman, argued that the EU should act with "utter caution and respect for Russia's sensitivities".There are policy areas where it is even harder to see the British and German MEPs pursuing a common line. Unlike the Conservatives, Alternative für Deutschland rejects outright the free trade agreement between Europe and the US in its current form. 83% of its members are against the deal, a higher percentage than among members of Germany's leftwing Die Linke party.The AfD shares another tendency with the German left: during the Ukrainian crisis, the party became one of the most vocal critics of the role played by the EU and US. Alexander Gauland, one of its founding members and a deputy spokesman, argued that the EU should act with "utter caution and respect for Russia's sensitivities".
"Germany and Europe have no interest in further weakening Russia and thus the entire Euro-Asiatic area," said Gauland. "We Germans sometimes forget that Russia served as a positive patron in key moments in Germany history, and saved Prussia from its downfall." In chapter II.2 of the party's manifesto, "Bank crisis and bank regulation", the AfD calls for a number of measures to curb activity in Europe's financial centres that look draconian by British standards."Germany and Europe have no interest in further weakening Russia and thus the entire Euro-Asiatic area," said Gauland. "We Germans sometimes forget that Russia served as a positive patron in key moments in Germany history, and saved Prussia from its downfall." In chapter II.2 of the party's manifesto, "Bank crisis and bank regulation", the AfD calls for a number of measures to curb activity in Europe's financial centres that look draconian by British standards.
The manifesto calls for "the splitting up of big banks into smaller units on the Swedish model". The Vickers commission in 2011 considered a wide range of structures for the banking industry and eventually settled on a ring-fencing model .The manifesto calls for "the splitting up of big banks into smaller units on the Swedish model". The Vickers commission in 2011 considered a wide range of structures for the banking industry and eventually settled on a ring-fencing model .
The AfD also advocates 25% equity ratios for banks, hedge funds, and "shadow banks" – a considerably higher ratio than the one discussed in the UK.The AfD also advocates 25% equity ratios for banks, hedge funds, and "shadow banks" – a considerably higher ratio than the one discussed in the UK.
• This article was amended on 13 June 2014. The earlier version misnamed Franz Niggemann as Franz Niggemeier.