The Alternative for Germany (AfD) won the elections in Thuringia the central part of Germany, according to exit polls.

In Saxony, where elections also took place, the party is trailing behind the CDU.

Specifically, ARD’s exit poll in Thuringia shows the AfD at 30.5%, with the CDU at 24.5%. Following them is the Sarah Wagenknecht Alliance with 16%, making its first appearance in an electoral contest.

Further down, the Left Party (Die Linke) stands at 12%, followed by the three parties of the federal governing coalition: the SPD with just 7%, the Greens with 4%, and the FDP, which has almost disappeared in the state, being counted under “Others.”

The picture is slightly different in Saxony, with the CDU leading at 31.5% compared to 30% for the AfD, according to the exit poll. The Alliance is at 12%, followed by the other parties.