Voting has begun in two state elections in eastern Germany, where the right-wing, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany party could become the strongest in both Thuringia and Saxony for the first time.

The latest poll held in August by public broadcaster ZDF showed Alternative for Germany had a big lead in Thuringia over other parties with a 29-percent support rate. In Saxony, it was trailing the main opposition Christian Democratic Union, or CDU, by 3 percent.

Alternative for Germany criticizes major political parties for their policies it claims are accepting foreigners limitlessly without caring about citizen's lives. It has apparently won support from the younger generations.

Intellectuals and media have described the party as far-right, as some of its politicians have made pro-Nazi statements and discriminatory remarks about Muslims.

No political party labeled as far-right has emerged as the strongest party in major postwar elections in Germany. The country has long valued tolerance and diversity and its education has focused on keeping far-right forces from gaining power due to its Nazi history.