Two east German states, Thuringia and Saxony, are casting votes today, and the far-right political party Alternative for Germany (AfD) is poised to win a state election for the first time.

If victorious, it will be the first time in nearly a century that a far-right party holds the most seats in a German state parliament.

The elections are influenced by ongoing foreign policy issues, including Russia's war with Ukraine.

Opinion polls show AfD leading in Thuringia and a close second in Saxony.

Another party, the far-left Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), also shows strong support.

Recent events, including a suspected Islamist attack in Solingen, have fueled anti-immigration sentiment and bolstered AfD's anti-immigration stance.

Both AfD and BSW have strongholds in former Communist-run East Germany and are critical of the EU and the German government's policies, particularly its military aid to Ukraine.

In contrast, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats and their coalition partners are trailing in the polls.