In Germany, crisis management measures have been taken due to the deaths of candidates of the Alternative Germany party, with the slogan that “conspiracy theories in this regard are utter nonsense”. This is based on the following: Indeed, seven AfD candidates have died in recent weeks (in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia). But they are not the only ones. In North Rhine-Westphalia, at least nine other party candidates have also died. Is this unusual? North Rhine-Westphalia is Germany’s most populous federal state, with a population of about 18 million.
The number of candidates running in the upcoming municipal elections in this province is in the five-digit range. And none of them necessarily have to be young and healthy to be nominated. Elections are held in 391 municipalities and districts and elect to city councils, district councils and mayors. According to statistics, there is no realistic chance that they will all live to see the end of the campaign.
The seven deceased AfD candidates were between the ages of 42 and 80. The youngest, 42-year-old candidate, committed suicide. The eldest, 80-year-old candidate, died after a long illness. Four other AfD candidates, aged between 59 and 71, had serious health problems. One of them suffered from liver disease and died of kidney failure. In the case of the seventh candidate, 59 years old, the police said that they would not disclose the circumstances of the death for reasons of confidentiality, but indicated that there was no sign of a crime.
Translated and edited by Hans Sackler