Germany’s far-right party likely to make gains in eastern region elections
Al Jazeera
The anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) is likely to dominate Thuringia and Saxony polls, in a blow for Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition.
Voters in two German states are casting their ballots in an election expected to deal a blow to Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government and deliver big gains for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is likely to make major gains in Thuringia and Saxony in Sunday’s vote, being seen as a barometer to next year’s federal election.
A win would mark the first time a far-right party has the most seats in a German state parliament since World War II. The 11-year-old party would not likely be able to form a state government even if it does win, as it is polling short of a majority and other parties refuse to collaborate with it.
The contests in the former East German states come just over a week after three people were killed in a knife attack that has fuelled a bitter debate over immigration in Germany.
Opinion polls had showed the anti-immigration AfD ahead in Thuringia and a close second in Saxony, while also predicting a strong showing for the upstart far-left Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW).
