AfD's "blue wave" targets Lower Saxony elections

Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD's top candidate from Saxony-Anhalt, is urging voters to bring the party's "blue wave" to Lower Saxony's local elections on Sunday, a message seen as a threat by other parties. Around 6.3 million people are eligible to vote, nearly four times the number in last week's state election. Observers consider it unlikely the AfD will win a top office, though a runoff entry would be a success. The party faces headwinds as four candidates, including a deputy leader, are barred over constitutional loyalty concerns, while investigations continue against party figures. The AfD's support has grown to 20 percent in state polls, fueled by concerns over the Volkswagen crisis, which affects 100,000 local workers. In Hannover's mayoral race, Green incumbent Belit Onay leads, with investigations also targeting SPD and CDU candidates.