German Chancellor Olaf Scholz¡¯s ruling coalition looks to be on course for another drubbing in September, when elections are held in three eastern regions where the far-right Alternative for Germany is the strongest party.

As well as slumping to their worst-ever result in a national vote at 13.9%, Scholz¡¯s Social Democrats were hammered in the former communist east in Sunday¡¯s European Parliament election.