AfD Launches Election Campaign In North Rhine-Westphalia

ESSEN, GERMANY - APRIL 08: A citizen observed the AfD election campaign launch event for state elections in North Rhine-Westphalia with a field glasses from his balcony on April 8, 2017 in Essen, Germany. The AfD rose to prominence following widespread unease in Germany following the country's liberal policy towards refugees and migrants in 2015-2016, during which approximately one million came to Germany to seek asylum. More recently, however, the AfD has seen its popularity fall, especially as German government policies towards migrants have become stricter and the Social Democrats have risen in polls with the announcement of their new chancellor candidate, Martin Schulz. North Rhine-Westphalia will hold elections on May 14 and Germany is to hold federal elections in September. (Photo by Lukas Schulze/Getty Images)