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For the last three years, German political parties, the media and the general public have been debating on how to address the rise of the new political player "Alternative für Deutschland" (AfD). The significant success of the AfD during the Landtagswahlen (regional elections) in March 2016 in three German regions intensified this debate. Will the rise of the AfD change the political landscape in Germany and will this new political party be successful in the medium-term? How should the established German political parties deal with this new political phenomenon and its members?

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is a right-wing populist and Eurosceptic political party in Germany. It was founded in April 2013, only five months before federal elections took place. It reached 4,7% of the votes and in consequence failed narrowly the 5% barrier to enter the Bundestag. During the regional elections in March 2016 AfD gained representation in three regions.

Nico Lange is Deputy Head of the Department "Politics and Consulting" of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Berlin. Within KAS he is responsible for the research on political parties and he leads the working group „Zukunft der Volksparteien“ (eng. Future of the big tent parties).