In elections in Thuringia and Saxony, voters are expected to deliver big gains for the far-right AfD party, dealing a blow to Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government. The debates over immigration in Germany have been fueled by a suspected Islamist attack.
Opinion polls show AfD ahead in Thuringia and closely behind in Saxony, with the upstart far-left BSW also predicted to have a strong showing. The eastern states have been receptive to their criticisms of the Berlin government.
A victory for AfD would mark a significant moment in Germany’s post-war history and serve as a rebuke for Scholz before national elections in 2025. Despite polling at around six percent, the Social Democrats struggle against the AfD in both states.
The voting stations will close at 6:00 pm, with exit polls expected shortly after. The rise of the far-right has been attributed to dissatisfaction with mainstream parties and support for nationalist and authoritarian positions.
Dissatisfaction with the government has also led to support for BSW, a new challenger founded by Sahra Wagenknecht, with a dovish stance towards Russia and strict immigration policies.
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