Alliance for Progress and Renewal Party

The German Alliance for Progress and Renewal (Allianz für Fortschritt und Aufbruch, ALFA) was a political party in Germany, founded in July 2015 as a split from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The formation of ALFA was primarily a response to…   ideological differences and internal disputes within the AfD, particularly concerning the party's direction and stance on various issues. The founders of ALFA, including Bernd Lucke, one of the AfD's original founders, sought to establish a party that focused more on economic liberalism, conservative policies, and a pro-European Union stance, contrasting with the AfD's shift towards right-wing populism and Euroscepticism.<br /><br />ALFA aimed to represent values centered around economic competence, advocating for fiscal discipline, free market principles, and the importance of innovation and education in driving economic progress. The party also emphasized the need for political renewal in Germany, calling for more transparency, citizen participation in politics, and reforms to ensure more efficient governance. While it positioned itself as a conservative and liberal force, ALFA also sought to address social issues with a focus on individual responsibility and the promotion of integration through performance and merit, rather than through quotas or affirmative action.<br /><br />Despite its ambitions, ALFA struggled to gain significant traction in the German political landscape, overshadowed by the larger and more established parties, including its rival, the AfD. The party's pro-European Union stance and moderate conservative policies appealed to a specific segment of the electorate, but it faced challenges in distinguishing itself and expanding its base beyond those disenchanted with the AfD's rightward shift.<br /><br />In terms of social policies, ALFA advocated for a balanced approach that recognized the importance of social cohesion and integration, particularly in the context of immigration and asylum policies. The party called for fair but firm immigration policies that prioritized skilled migration and integration efforts to ensure that newcomers could contribute positively to German society.<br /><br />Over time, the party underwent several name changes and rebranding efforts in an attempt to consolidate its position and message. However, these efforts were met with limited success, and the party remained a minor player in German politics. The emergence of ALFA and its subsequent struggles reflect the complexities and challenges of establishing a new political entity in a competitive political environment, as well as the shifting dynamics within the broader spectrum of German conservatism and liberalism.Read more