Saxony-Anhalt Holds State Elections

MAGDEBURG, GERMANY - MARCH 13: Andre Poggenburg (L), lead candidate of the Alternative fuer Deutschland (Alternative for Germany, AfD) political party in state parliamentary elections in Saxony-Anhalt, and Bjoern Hoecke (R), head of the Alternative fuer Deutschland political party (Alternative for Germany, AfD) in Thuringia react to initial polling results during state elections in Saxony-Anhalt at the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament on March 13, 2016 in Magdeburg, Germany. State elections taking place today in three German states: Rhineland-Palatinate, Saxony-Anhalt and Baden-Wuerttemberg, are a crucial test-case for German Chancellor and Chairwoman of the German Christian Democrats (CDU) Angela Merkel, who has come under increasing pressure over her liberal immigration policy towards migrants and refugees. The populist Alternative fuer Deutschland (Alternative for Germany, AfD), with campaign rhetoric aimed at Germans who are uneasy with so many newcomers, has solid polling numbers and will almost certainly win seats in all three state parliaments. (Photo by Jens Schlueter/Getty Images)