Angela Merkel, the conservative party now facing a first regional electoral test in the Saar, six months before the parliamentary elections in which the Social Democrats, who saw their support to grow, appear able to threaten after 12 years in power. About 800,000 voters in this small state on the border with France began voting from 08:00 local time (09:00 GMT) for the renewal of the local parliament.
The polls will close at 18:00 (19:00 GMT) and first estimates of the results are expected soon. Although the Saar represents only 1% of the German population, the results will be analyzed thoroughly in order to measure the ability of the social democrats in fact threaten the Chancellor elections on September 24.
While they were at the beginning of the year 15 points behind the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) of Angela Merkel, the Social Democrats are fighting now neck and neck with the party's intention to vote at the national level with rates slightly above 30%.
The explanation: the arrival of the leadership of the former President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz, who in a way clearly to the left on social issues and a profile that wants to show "by the people" mobilized again in record time traditional polling audience of the party.
The CDU, which is in power for 18 years and in the Saar is credited with 35% to 37% of voting intentions in the last polls.
But the SPD following it locally on the following close behind. Having stayed for a long time at 25%, now seems, thanks to "effect Schultz," to ensure 32% to 34% of the votes in the latest polls.
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