AfD leads Saxony-Anhalt polls as thousands march

Thousands of people marched in Magdeburg on September 5 in a pro-democracy demonstration a day before Saxony-Anhalt votes in a regional election where polls put the far-right Alternative for Germany ahead.

The march in the eastern German state capital was organised by the coalition Saxony-Anhalt: Open to the World. Demonstrators carried rainbow flags and placards with messages against hate and Nazism.

The AfD is seeking what would be its first regional election win in Germany. The party is not assured of an absolute majority, and all other parties have ruled out governing with it except the pro-Russian left-wing BSW, whose members are divided on the issue.