Voting location now active for citizens to cast their ballots.

In a significant shift in German politics, the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party is consolidating its position and expanding in many regions, according to current polls. This is particularly evident in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, where the AfD is currently the clear strongest force, polling at 39%.

Alice Weidel, co-chair of the AfD party, expressed her pleasure with the poll results in Saxony-Anhalt. The party's success in the region can be attributed to local discontent with politics perceived as inactive towards integration issues.

The CDU party comes in second in Saxony-Anhalt with 27% support, followed by the SPD with a record low of 7%. The Greens and FDP parties would not be represented in the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament if an election were held today.

The Left party, on the other hand, is in third place in Saxony-Anhalt with 13% support. This poll result mirrors the party's nationwide standing, where it remains a significant player in the political landscape.

The AfD's rise in popularity is not limited to Saxony-Anhalt. In North Rhine-Westphalia, where municipal elections are scheduled for September 14, there are concerns about a potential shift to the right, especially in the Ruhr area. The current majority of voters in any municipality where the AfD will participate in the elections is not specified, but it is noted that the party is expected to gain significant support.

The AfD's radicalisation over the past five years, as reported by the domestic intelligence service, seems to be increasingly unimportant to voters. This trend is evident in the ARD "Deutschlandtrend" Sunday question, where the AfD has reached a new high, with 25% of respondents stating they would vote for the party.

However, the AfD's rise in popularity has not gone unchallenged. Bundesinnenminister Alexander Dobrindt's ministry generally does not comment on the future handling of the party due to ongoing proceedings. Dobrindt, a CSU politician, has, however, reiterated that he has no doubt the party is a right-wing extremist party.

The CDU/CSU remains the strongest force in the "Deutschlandtrend" with 27% support, followed by the SPD with 14%, the Greens with 11%, the Left with 10%, the BSW with 4%, and the FDP with 3%.

In structurally weak regions with industrial decline, such as Gelsenkirchen and Duisburg, the AfD has good chances to expand its results and establish itself permanently. These areas, which have been struggling with issues like waste, drug consumption, and social decay, have become central election campaign themes.

Despite the AfD's success in some regions, it is currently unthinkable for the party to achieve such approval ratings in the western federal states, except for a few local exceptions. The federal government's stance on the party's future handling remains unclear due to ongoing proceedings.

The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution announced in early May that it would classify the AfD as a secure right-wing extremist endeavour, but this classification is currently on hold pending judicial clarification due to a lawsuit by the AfD. This uncertainty adds an additional layer of complexity to the political landscape in Germany.

As the election season approaches, it remains to be seen how the political landscape will continue to evolve and whether the AfD's momentum will continue. One thing is certain: the party's rise in popularity has shaken up the traditional German political landscape, and its influence will continue to be felt for years to come.