In the German states of Thuringia and Saxony, voters are heading to the polls to elect new state parliaments.

The elections have been marked by heightened tensions, particularly in Thuringia, where a man wearing an AfD T-shirt threatened a polling station official in Gera, prompting police intervention.

The incident underscores the contentious atmosphere surrounding the elections, with the AfD, a party classified as right-wing extremist by the domestic intelligence service, potentially becoming the strongest force in Thuringia according to polls.

Despite this, other parties have ruled out forming coalitions with the AfD.

Voter turnout appears slightly higher than in previous elections, with significant interest in the outcome as it could reshape the political landscape in both states.

The elections are also notable for the potential rise of the newly formed Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), which could play a crucial role in coalition formations.