(ANSA) - MAGDEBURGO, SEP 6 - Polling stations opened at 8 a.m. in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt, where voters are casting ballots today in the state legislative elections. Polling stations will close at 6 p.m. In this eastern German state, a former part of the GDR, 1.7 million voters are eligible to cast their ballots in a crucial test for Chancellor Friedrich Merz's federal governing coalition. The far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) is widely expected to emerge as the leading party with over 40% in the polls and could win control of the regional government. (ANSA).