Political violence on the rise as Germany faces crucial election

Germany is just over a week away from another key state election in Brandenburg. It follows ballots in two other eastern states, Thuringia and Saxony, which saw a surge in support for the far-right. New polling indicates a similar trend in Brandenburg, putting the far-right Alternative for Germany just ahead of the governing Social Democrats (SPD). The conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) is running third, while the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), is in fourth place. Both those parties have lost a few points, since the last survey. The rise of the far right has come as the country sees a rise in political violence. A recent spate of attacks, death threats and intimidation has alarm bells sounding over the threat to German democracy. Offenders often target local officials and election workers who have little to no official protection. DW reports from Brandenburg’s city of Cottbus.