Far-Right AfD Expected to Gain Ground in German Elections

The upcoming regional elections in Saxony and Thuringia are poised to be a significant turning point for Germany, with the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party leading polls and potentially winning its first regional seats. Voter disillusionment with mainstream parties, particularly Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition, is driving support for the AfD, which is capitalizing on anti-immigration sentiment following a recent violent incident involving a Syrian refugee. In Thuringia, the AfD could achieve around 30% support, while in Saxony, it is neck-and-neck with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). The Social Democratic Party (SPD) risks not securing any seats, marking a historic low, while a new far-left populist party, the Sahra Wagenknecht League, adds further complexity to the political landscape. The elections reflect broader dissatisfaction in eastern Germany, where economic struggles and a sense of marginalization persist. Regardless of the outcome, other parties have vowed not to collaborate with the AfD, keeping it from power despite its potential electoral success.