AfD Expected to Win Historic Thuringia Election

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is projected to win its first state election in Thuringia, marking a historic milestone as the first far-right party to achieve such a feat in Germany since World War II, with projections of around 33.1% of the vote. In Saxony, the AfD is closely trailing the Christian Democrats, indicating a significant shift in voter sentiment against Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition, which is expected to suffer substantial losses across the board. The rise of the AfD has been fueled by anti-immigration sentiments, notably following a violent incident involving a Syrian national, as well as general dissatisfaction with the current government's policies on Ukraine and energy reforms. Scholz's Social Democrats are forecasted to receive only about 7% of the vote, one of their worst performances, while newly formed leftist parties are gaining traction. Alice Weidel, the AfD's co-leader, has hailed the results as a clear signal of public support for their party, implying a potential shift in governance dynamics. Upcoming elections in Brandenburg further complicate the political landscape as parties navigate these changing tides ahead of national elections next year.