In the upcoming regional elections in Thuringia, Saxony, and Brandenburg, the far-right party AfD is currently leading in the polls.

Thuringia's elections are set to take place in just over a week, with the AfD potentially emerging as the strongest political force in the region.

Despite the AfD's 30% support in polls, a significant 70% of eligible voters in Thuringia oppose the party, highlighting a strong resistance against its far-right agenda.

A planned campaign event for AfD candidate Björn Höcke in Jena was canceled due to protests, where around 2,000 demonstrators blocked access and voiced their opposition.

Concerns have been raised regarding police actions during the protests, as demonstrators were met with batons and pepper spray despite the protest being organized legally.

Saxony's Minister-President Michael Kretschmer is discussing potential coalition options ahead of the elections, as the political landscape becomes increasingly fragmented.

Political analysts suggest that the splintering of party support in Germany may hinder the CDU's ability to regain significant electoral strength.

Voter dissatisfaction with the federal government, particularly regarding inflation, migration, and crime, is expected to heavily influence the upcoming elections.

Bodo Ramelow, the top candidate for the Left Party in Thuringia, has expressed concerns about the AfD's growing influence and its potential to achieve a blocking minority.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz's SPD party supports the deployment of US missiles, though Thuringia's interior minister expressed discomfort with the timing of the announcement ahead of elections.

A study from the Kiel Institute warns that if populists gain power, Germany's GDP could decrease by 10% over a 15-year period, raising concerns about the economic implications of the elections.

Currently, Thuringia is led by a minority government under Bodo Ramelow, which relies on cooperation with the opposition amidst rising tensions with extremist parties.