Germany’s Political Center Risks Fresh Blow in Sunday Votes (1)

On a recent sunny day in a spa town in eastern Germany, the smell of grilled bratwursts filled the air as several hundred locals milled near a stage adorned with blue banners while kids got their faces painted to look like clowns or animals.

It was like any other summer community event except for the line of well-equipped police, keeping about 150 protesters at bay.

With authorities ensuring the sides kept a safe distance on the market square of Bad Salzungen in Thuringia, the demonstrators shouted slogans like “Nazis out” to try to disrupt the campaign rally of the far-right ...