Merkel's CDU suffers setbacks in German regional elections

Angela Merkel's ruling Christian Democrat (CDU) party suffered regional election defeats in two out of three German states, as the anti-immigrant AfD Party made gains.

Exit polls indicated the conservative Christian Democrats had lost support in Baden-Wuerttemberg and Rhineland Palatinate, but had managed to hold on to first place in Saxony-Anhalt against an increasingly popular AFD (Alternative für Deutschland).

The AfD, which has has only been in existence for three years, moved ahead across all three regions - a clear sign that Merkel's policy of allowing more than 1m immigrants and refugees into the country last year was no longer popular with the electorate.

It took 24% of the vote in the east German state of Saxon-Anhalt to finish second and now holds seats in eight of Germany's 16 states.

However, there were also massive gains for the Green Party, taking 32% of the vote in Baden Württemberg, the CDU is expected to become a junior coalition partner in the state government under the Greens.