Alternative for Germany (AfD) hopes to defeat Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats

The far-right may be on the brink of their first electoral victory in a state known as Germany’s Social Democratic bastion.

Brandenburg is close to Berlin and was once under the jurisdiction of Center-left Social Democrats led by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Since the unification of Germany (Social Democratic Party).

But on Sunday, two million voters will go to the polls in a tight regional election in which the Alternative for Germany (AfD) has a chance of victory.

That would add to the AfD’s recent electoral success and be deeply embarrassing for Scholz, who lives in the state capital Potsdam.

Such an outcome, while far from certain, would cast further doubt on Scholz’s ability to lead the party into next year’s federal election, where he still hopes to be re-elected despite a slump in his approval ratings.

Alternative for Germany (AfD) becomes first far-right party Won the most state election in Germany since World War IIOn September 1, in the eastern state of Thuringia, the same day came in a narrow second place in Saxony.

The group is officially classified as an “extremist organization” in some states and is unlikely to enter local government if it is to win in Brandenburg, as all other parties have refused to cooperate with the group.

Polling in Brandenburg will close at 18:00 (1600 GMT), with first exit polls and preliminary forecasts to be released immediately after the polls close.

The Alternative for Germany did not win a majority in Thuringia or Saxony and is unlikely to win a majority in Brandenburg.

But it will be a symbolic victory as the Alternative for Germany continues to exploit concerns about a slowing economy, immigration and the war in Ukraine – concerns that have reverberated strongly in the former communist East Germany.

Brandenburg is the SPD’s traditional stronghold – it has won elections in the sparsely populated state since the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990.

Popular Social Democratic Chancellor Dietmar Woidke has largely avoided campaigning with Scholz and has been critical of his governing coalition’s behavior and policies.

Meanwhile, Scholz earlier this month called on other parties to Stop “right-wing extremists” AfD from stepping down Defend against it by maintaining a so-called firewall.

The German chancellor, a member and former leader of the Social Democratic Party, described the results in Thuringia and Saxony as “painful” and “worrying”.

Alternative for Brandenburg candidate Hans-Christoph Berndt cast his vote in the town of Golsen south of Berlin on Sunday, saying he had not been able to win since the last state election in 2019. Since then, the party has gained increasing support.

The AfD holds a narrow lead over the Social Democrats in opinion polls, buoyed by support among young people, but more than a quarter of voters are estimated to be undecided.