Series of AfD candidate deaths cast shadow over German local elections

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
3 Sep 2025 13:22
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AfD’s rise in Germany faces new turbulence as a string of candidate deaths sparks speculation ahead of key North Rhine-Westphalia elections.

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A man stands in front of the logo at the AfD party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, after the German national election. (AP)

Six candidates from Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party have died in recent weeks ahead of local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia, the country’s most populous state.

Authorities have emphasized that there is no evidence of foul play, with police citing natural causes or family privacy concerns in explaining the deaths. Still, the unusual number of cases has fueled speculation online, forcing election officials to reprint ballots and ask some postal voters to recast their votes.

North Rhine-Westphalia, home to 18 million people, will hold local elections on September 14 with some 20,000 candidates running. While the state’s interior ministry noted that candidates from other parties have also died, the AfD cases attracted disproportionate attention given the party’s rising profile.

'Statistically improbable deaths'

The AfD, which surged to become Germany’s second-largest party in February’s federal elections, has been classified as a right-wing extremist organization by domestic intelligence agencies, though the designation is currently under appeal.

AfD co-leader Alice Weidel fueled speculation by reposting claims that the deaths were statistically improbable, while regional party leader Kay Gottschalk urged caution, saying investigations should proceed “without immediately getting into conspiracy theory territory.”

Despite the controversy, the AfD hopes to expand its support in North Rhine-Westphalia, a region long dominated by mainstream parties. Polls suggest the far-right movement could repeat its strong federal performance of nearly 17% in the state.

The party’s growing influence has also drawn backing from international right-wing figures, including Elon Musk, who has openly endorsed the AfD’s migration policies.