Alternative fuer Deutschland (AfD) deputy chairman Alexander Gauland pictured at he party's federal congress on May 01, 2016 in Stuttgart, Germany. The AfD, a relative newcomer to the German political landscape, has emerged from Euro-sceptic conservatism towards a more right-wing leaning appeal based in large part on opposition to Germany's generous refugees and migrants policy. Since winning seats in March elections in three German state parliaments the party has sharpened its tone, calling for a ban on minarets and claiming that Islam does not belong in Germany.