In the September election in Frankfurt (Oder), independent candidate Axel Strasser led with 32.4%, closely followed by AfD candidate Wilko Möller with 30.2%, while CDU and SPD candidates did not qualify for the runoff.

Meanwhile, in Potsdam, voters are choosing between independent candidate Noosha Aubel, who received 34.0% in September, and SPD candidate Severin Fischer, who garnered 16.9%, making it a pivotal contest for the city's mayoralty.

Today marks the runoff elections in Frankfurt (Oder) and Potsdam, where voters are deciding whether the AfD can secure its first mayoral victory in Germany, signaling a significant political shift in eastern Germany.

In Frankfurt (Oder), the race is particularly historic, with AfD candidate Wilko Möller trailing incumbent Axel Strasser by only 2.2 percentage points after the first round, raising the possibility of a groundbreaking outcome.

Voting stations in both cities are open until 6:00 PM today, as these elections are seen as a 'paukenschlag' or shock in Brandenburg politics, with potential implications for national politics.

Nikolaus Doll, a WELT politics editor, notes that the narrow race and the rise of the AfD as a growing Volkspartei in eastern Germany highlight the party's increasing influence.

Analysts emphasize that these elections could be a milestone for the AfD, reflecting broader political changes in the region and the shifting landscape of local governance.

The elections are particularly significant as they could mark the first time the AfD wins a mayoral position in Germany, challenging long-standing political traditions in Brandenburg.

The outcome of these runoffs is especially important for regions like Potsdam, where the SPD has held the mayor's office for 35 years, and for Frankfurt (Oder), where a historic shift may occur.