Six AfD candidates die from natural causes ahead of elections
- In North Rhine-Westphalia, six candidates from the AfD political party died in recent weeks.
- Investigations revealed the cause of death was natural, with no evidence of foul play.
- The deaths have sparked public speculation, but they emphasize the broader political climate ahead of local elections.
In the weeks leading up to local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, a total of six candidates from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party passed away. Speculation regarding the nature of these deaths emerged online, with some individuals questioning if the fatalities were connected. However, investigations conducted by the police determined that there was no foul play involved, attributing the deaths to natural causes. The specifics of some cases remain private, respecting the mourning families. Amid previous struggles in the 2022 state elections, where the AfD garnered just 5.4% in votes, the party has seen a rise to 16.8% in recent federal polling. This upcoming election is critical for the AfD, as it measures the party's revitalization under the new federal government. The party leadership, including co-leader Alice Weidel, addressed the online speculation surrounding the candidate deaths without refuting them, as she shared a comment claiming that such a number was statistically improbable. In addition to the AfD candidates, it was emphasized that the deaths were not exclusive to this political organization, with candidates from the Green Party and Social Democrats also having passed away. This information point was confirmed by the state’s Interior Ministry, providing a broader context that such tragedies are not limited to one political faction. This report of fatalities highlighted public concerns regarding political stability and security, especially in the face of rising party support. The AfD has been classified as a right-wing extremist organization by Germany's domestic intelligence agency, although this classification was temporarily withheld due to a legal challenge. Nevertheless, the ongoing discussions about the party stem from lingering perceptions tied to its extremist label. With the local authorities elections on the horizon, the political climate in North Rhine-Westphalia is intensified by these tragic occurrences, fueling both speculation and concern among voters as they approach the polls with heightened apprehension.