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German far-right eyes poll gains 'Poll gains' for German far-right
(about 11 hours later)
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. Exit polls in German state elections show gains for the far right in one eastern state and a poor showing for Chancellor Angela Merkel's party.
The Social Democrats are favoured over Ms Merkel's Christian Democrats in the city-state of Berlin. The far-right National Democratic Party is projected to have won 6% of votes in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania - with 5% needed for a state parliament seat.
In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the far-right National Democratic Party could go over the 5% threshold and enter the parliament. The previous government compared the NDP to the early Nazi party.
The polls also showed Mrs Merkel's Christian Democrat (CDU) party trailing rival parties in two other states.
A poll for ARD public television showed the NDP on course to win 6.5% of the vote, while ZDF television put the figure at 6%.
They also showed Berlin's popular Mayor Klaus Wowereit of the Social Democrat Party (SPD) heading for re-election, as had been thought likely.
In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania the Social Democrats showed a narrow lead.
The BBC's Tristana Moore in Berlin says the results suggest another setback for the CDU, which has been haemorrhaging support at the national lead because of infighting.
Soaring unemployment
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-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. Mrs Merkel, who became the country's first woman chancellor less than a year ago, would have wanted to do well in the state, which includes her home constituency.
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 governed by a so-called "red-red" coalition of Social Democrats and the Left Party.
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.
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 attempt 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.