Voters in the two eastern German states of Thuringia and Saxony are heading to the polls in what is being closely watched as a barometer for the federal elections next year. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is making significant gains in the polls and is expected to come out on top in Thuringia, marking the first electoral victory for the German far-right at a regional level since the end of the Nazi era.
In Saxony, the AfD is also predicted to perform strongly, potentially pushing the ruling center-right Christian Democratic Union into second place. Additionally, a newly formed left-wing populist party, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, is also projected to do well in both states.
Meanwhile, the parties in Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s ruling coalition are facing challenges. Recent polling suggests that Scholz’s center-left Social Democratic Party is likely to come in fourth or fifth place in both states.
The results of these state elections are being closely watched as they could have implications for the political landscape in Germany leading up to the federal elections next year. The rise of the far-right AfD and the success of new political movements are reflecting a growing sense of discontent and polarization among voters in Germany.
As the election results unfold, it will be important to see how the political parties respond to the shifting dynamics and what implications this could have for the future direction of German politics.
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Video “Is the German far right about to win its first state elections since the Nazi era ? | DW News” was uploaded on 09/01/2024 to Youtube Channel DW News