Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany party won its first regional election, garnering between 30.5 and 33.5 percent of the vote in the state of Thuringia, exit polls show.
The party is battling for first place with the conservative CDU in the state of Saxony, polls show, German media reported.
Meanwhile, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD) scored a disappointing result in both provinces – between 6.5 and 8.5%.
This gives the far right its first victory in a state parliament since World War II, although it is unlikely to be able to form a government in Thuringia.
About five million Germans were eligible to vote in two state elections in the east on Sunday. The AfD is also close to the conservative CDU in the state parliamentary elections in Saxony.
The AfD’s main candidate in Thuringia, Björn Höcke, is a highly controversial figure in Germany.
His party has been labeled as far-right and he has been fined for using a Nazi slogan, although the former history teacher denies he did it knowingly.
Immigration played a big role in Sunday’s election, but the AfD also wants to end arms supplies to Ukraine, as does the party heading for third place in both states, ex-communist Sahra Wagenknecht’s BSW.
“The politicians promised a lot, especially on migration and foreigners,” AfD voter Michael told the BBC in the Thuringian state capital Erfurt.
“But nothing happened. Nothing. Only promises come from these parties. Now I have my party. And I stand by my decision.”
dnes.bg
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