AfD nears first far-right victory in Germany since World War II as Saxony-Anhalt votes

The vote is seen as a barometer for the government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has attempted to chip away at the AfD's popularity by taking a tougher line on migration and security.

Voters in Germany's Saxony-Anhalt state head to the polls  Reuters

Alternative for Germany could become the first far-right party to take power at a state level since WWII

BERLIN, Sept 6 - Voters in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt will go to the polls on Sunday in a closely watched election that could see the Alternative for Germany (AfD) become the first far-right party to take power at a state level since the World War Two.

Ahead of Saxony-Anhalt's state election on Sunday, a democracy festival by civil society groups has been held in Magdeburg. The far-right AfD organized its final campaign rally in the state capital. DW has the latest.

Ahead of elections on Sunday, in which the far-right Alternative for Germany could win in this region of the former East Germany, the city of Stendal – where 10,000 Red Army soldiers were stationed during the Cold War – exemplifies the unique relationship between the former German Democratic Republic and Russia.

Ahead of elections on Sunday, in which the far-right Alternative for Germany could win in this region of the former East Germany, the city of Stendal – where 10,000 Red Army soldiers were stationed during the Cold War – exemplifies the unique relationship between the former German Democratic Republic and Russia.

The nationalist party is poised to win more than 40 percent of the votes in the state.

Nationalist party Alternative for Germany (AfD) is leading polls ahead of Sunday's election in Saxony-Anhalt. The AfD is pushing back on a growing chorus from centrist politicians, think tanks and industry leaders warning of the negative consequences of the far-right party's proposals. Bloomberg's Christoph Rauwald rep