New Delhi, Sept. 1 -- An election in eastern Germany on Sunday could produce the first far-right state governor in the country's post-World War II history as Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his unpopular national government struggle to dispel what he calls "widespread moroseness."

Several polls show a large lead for the anti-migration Alternative for Germany, or AfD, ahead of the election to the state legislature in Saxony-Anhalt. Taking control of a state government would be the biggest prize in the party's 13-year history, a political shock to Germany and at least a symbolic blow to Merz.

Breaking a taboo

"If AfD wins the election and forms the government, that would be kind of breaking a taboo in Germany," said Wolfgang Merkel, a poli...