TT Elections in North Rhine Westphalia: Elections in the state have always been viewed as a barometer for national politics

State elections in Northrhine Westphalia have always been viewed as a barometer for national politics -- both because of the state's size and its economic might. If it were a country, the state would be the eighth largest in the European Union. This is where the Ruhr valley is located, Germany's former coal and steel heartland, now a symbol of post-industrial decline with all its challenges. Voters here say they're fed up with paying for economic dislocation particularly since those in need of help are ever further from home. Taxpayers who shelled out to support the jobless as big industry moved away began to balk after reunification at massive transfers to Eastern Germany after unification. And many are downright angry at being asked to help out Greece.