Germany's Brandenburg Election: Far-Right AfD Likely to Secure Another Victory

Germans in Brandenburg headed to the polls in a crucial regional election today, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) expected to come out on top, ahead of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD). This potential win follows the AfD's recent victories in other eastern states, as they seek to capitalize on concerns about the economy, immigration, and the impact of the Ukraine war. An AfD victory would mark a significant blow for the SPD, which has governed Brandenburg since German reunification in 1990. Current state premier Dietmar Woidke has vowed to fight against the rise of right-wing extremism, emphasizing the SPD's efforts to maintain economic stability and growth, like the opening of the Tesla factory and Brandenburg airport. Exit polls are expected soon, but the SPD faces a tough challenge, trailing the AfD by just one percentage point in recent surveys. An AfD win would raise further questions about Scholz's leadership ahead of the federal election in 2