[3][4][5] It was founded as the Alliance for Progress and Renewal (German: Allianz für Fortschritt und Aufbruch, ALFA), but changed its name in November 2016 after litigation with the anti-abortion organization "Aktion Lebensrecht für Alle" (Action Right to Life for All) which uses the same acronym.

At an extraordinary party convention in Essen on 4 July 2015, Lucke was defeated in the election for chairman by his opponent Petry, who received 60% of the vote.

ALFA was formally founded on 19 July 2015 at a closed inaugural meeting of 70 people in Kassel, Hesse where statutes and a party platform were approved and Bernd Lucke MEP was elected chairman.

On her side her fellow MEP Bernd Kölmel, Ulrich van Suntum, professor of economics at Münster University and chairman of the party at state level in North Rhine-Westphalia, and Christian Schäfer, chair of the ALFA caucus in the state parliament of Bremen, were elected vice chairmen.

[18] Other members of the executive committee include Bernd Lucke, Ulrike Trebesius and Hans-Olaf Henkel.

In Autumn 2020, MPs Uwe Kamann and Mario Mieruch left Alternative for Germany and joined LKR; therefore, the party regained a representation in the Bundestag.

In January 2023, the Member of the European Parliament Lars Patrick Berg left the party and joined Bündnis Deutschland.

[22] The party criticises the low-, zero- and negative-interest policies of the European Central Bank.

The party describes itself as morally conservative, economically liberal and as an advocate of technological progress.

There was also a club of women within the party and an official group for small and medium-sized firm owners.