( dpa ) - The fortunes of the Left Party were being keenly watched as the German city-state of Hamburg held elections Sunday.
Pre-election opinion surveys indicated the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) of Mayor Ole von Beust would not be able to cling to the absolute majority it held in the outgoing legislature.
Eyes were on the Left Party, which draws most of its support in the formerly communist eastern states.
Predictions were that the party, which was not represented in the outgoing legislature, could take up to 8 per cent of the vote and hold the balance.
Four years ago, the CDU took 47.2 per cent of the vote, against 30.5 per cent for the Social Democratic Party (SPD). Polls suggest the CDU will lose ground, while the SPD is to increase its support.
The Greens, which took 12.3 per cent last time, are predicted to lose votes, while the liberal FDP, which failed to enter the legislature four years ago with 2.8 per cent, is given a chance of clearing the 5-per-cent hurdle this time.
Some 1.24 million are eligible to vote and were casting their ballots under cloudy skies. Polling booths were to close at 6 pm, when broadcasters were to announce the results of exit polls.
Preliminary results were expected late Sunday, although a complex voting system meant the announcement of final official results would take some time.
