Regional elections are approaching in Brandenburg, with polls showing that the social democratic SPD party is at risk of defeat by the far-right AfD party.
The SPD has been in power in the state since German reunification, but their regional leader now faces the prospect of defeat.
Regional elections will be held in Brandenburg on September 22, with polls showing that the social democratic SPD party is at risk of defeat by the far-right AfD party.
Dietmar Woidke, SPD, Prime Minister of the State of Brandenburg, said:“This is a duel and I will do everything in my power to ensure that a party that operates broadly and openly on the extreme right does not win the regional elections in Brandenburg.”
In some polls, the SPD has 26% of the vote, compared to 29% for the AfD.
Alice Weidel, leader of the AfD in Brandenburg, said: “When we are in government, we will immediately drive out these people who commit these crimes on our streets.”
Despite the AfD’s potential success in the upcoming elections, the SPD is still on track to continue its coalition with the conservative CDU and the Greens.