Far-right party is looking for wins in 2 state elections in eastern Germany

FILE - Bjoern Hoecke, top candidate of the far-right Alternative for Germany party, or AfD, speaks on an election campaign rally of the party for upcoming state elections in Suhl, Germany, Aug. 13, 2024.

Two state elections in eastern Germany on Sunday offer the far-right Alternative for Germany the chance to become the strongest party for the first time and could produce painful results for the unpopular national government. A new party founded by a prominent leftist also hopes to make an immediate impact.