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German far-right eyes poll gains German far-right eyes poll gains
(about 4 hours later)
Voters in two German states are set to go to the polls, with predictions suggesting gains for the far-right and a setback for Chancellor Angela Merkel. People in two German states are voting for new parliaments, with predictions suggesting gains for the far-right and a setback for Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The Social Democrats are favoured over Ms Merkel's Christian Democrats in the city-state of Berlin.The Social Democrats are favoured over Ms Merkel's Christian Democrats in the city-state of Berlin.
In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the far right National Democratic Party could go over the 5% threshold and enter the parliament. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the far-right National Democratic Party could go over the 5% threshold and enter the parliament.
Two states in former communist eastern Germany already have far-right MPs.Two states in former communist eastern Germany already have far-right MPs.
Neck-and-neckNeck-and-neck
The NPD's support is partly explained by its hard anti-immigrant stance in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, which has soaring unemployment.The NPD's support is partly explained by its hard anti-immigrant stance in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, which has soaring unemployment.
Ms Merkel, who became the country's first woman chancellor less than a year ago, would want to do well in the state, in which her home constituency lies.Ms Merkel, who became the country's first woman chancellor less than a year ago, would want to do well in the state, in which her home constituency lies.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is currently being governed by a so-called "red-red" coalition of Social Democrats (SPD) and the Left Party.Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is currently being governed by a so-called "red-red" coalition of Social Democrats (SPD) and the Left Party.
Opinion polls show that the SPD are running neck-and-neck with the Christian Democrats (CDU).Opinion polls show that the SPD are running neck-and-neck with the Christian Democrats (CDU).
But it is the strong showing of the NPD that is expected to make the headlines after the elections.But it is the strong showing of the NPD that is expected to make the headlines after the elections.
Manufacturing has collapsed across the former East German state following reunification in 1990, forcing many of its residents to go west in search of work.Manufacturing has collapsed across the former East German state following reunification in 1990, forcing many of its residents to go west in search of work.
The government of former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder had tried to ban the NPD, describing it as a latter-day version of Hitler's Nazi party.The government of former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder had tried to ban the NPD, describing it as a latter-day version of Hitler's Nazi party.
But Germany's Supreme Court rejected Mr Schroeder's bid in 2003. The NPD has its lawmakers in the state of Saxony, following regional elections in 2004.But Germany's Supreme Court rejected Mr Schroeder's bid in 2003. The NPD has its lawmakers in the state of Saxony, following regional elections in 2004.
Another far-right party - the German People's Union (DVU) - entered the parliament in the state of Brandenburg.Another far-right party - the German People's Union (DVU) - entered the parliament in the state of Brandenburg.
In Berlin an opinion poll has given Social Democrat mayor, Klaus Wowereit, a 10 percentage point lead over Christian Democrat, Friedbert Pflueger.In Berlin an opinion poll has given Social Democrat mayor, Klaus Wowereit, a 10 percentage point lead over Christian Democrat, Friedbert Pflueger.