By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Ahead of local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia, several candidates from the far-right AfD party have died in recent weeks, though police have found no evidence of foul play. These deaths necessitate new ballots and potentially require some postal voters to recast their votes. Despite the absence of foul play, the situation has fueled speculation on social media, with AfD co-leader Alice Weidel amplifying these claims. However, party officials, including Kay Gottschalk, are urging caution and emphasizing the need for thorough investigation while remaining sensitive to the affected families.
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Germany’s far-right AfD suffers a series of candidate deaths ahead of local votes, which has quickly become a point of contention. As the local elections approach, a handful of candidates, including those from the Alternative for Germany (AfD), have passed away. These deaths, sadly a fairly common occurrence given the demographic of many candidates and the extended timeframe of election cycles, have become a focal point.
The key point here is that several local candidates have died. According to available information, a total of ten candidates from various parties have passed away. Among them, four were affiliated with the AfD. The remaining six represented other political parties, underscoring that this unfortunate situation is not unique to any single political group. The police, in initial reports, have indicated that the deaths were either due to natural causes or, in some instances, the specific cause of death wasn’t being released to protect the privacy of the families involved.
The AfD, as might be expected, has jumped on this situation, with prominent figures already hinting at a larger conspiracy. This, unfortunately, isn’t surprising, as it plays on existing fears and anxieties, potentially boosting their support. It’s important to note the context: These are local elections, and there are thousands of candidates.
The natural consequence of having thousands of candidates, many of whom are older, is that some will inevitably pass away during the long period between registration and the actual election. The irony here is that the AfD is likely benefiting from a system where mail-in ballots, especially for those who may have pre-selected them, could be invalidated due to a candidate’s passing. Depending on how those ballots are handled, it could lead to a shift in votes, often favoring the party with fewer votes cast by mail.
There is a potential political angle to consider here as well. If mail-in ballots become problematic, it disproportionately impacts specific voter groups. This is a strategic move, although it likely wasn’t planned. Some voters may be less inclined to go through the process of re-requesting a ballot or physically voting at a polling station.
Some are naturally questioning whether the AfD has put forth terminally ill candidates, which, again, could potentially benefit the party. This would involve pre-planning, potentially leading to strategically placed candidates to disrupt any votes that might conflict.
There’s a valid point to be made about the impact of sensationalized headlines. They can easily fuel conspiracy theories and amplify existing biases. Clickbait headlines like these are always problematic as it can be hard to gauge the intention.
The broader context is that the AfD, as a far-right party, isn’t necessarily going to attract a young candidate pool. The more common candidate would be older, retired people who may already have health issues. Therefore, it is statistically probable that some would die, potentially before the election.
The comments seem to be highlighting potential conspiracy theories, such as candidates dying due to nefarious causes. Some responses also hint at the party’s perceived association with hard drug use or a general lack of stability among its members. These are not necessarily factual but reflect the public’s negative perceptions.
One of the more intriguing observations is the idea of the AfD mirroring the past; a “Night of the Long Knives 2: Putin edition,”. It highlights the historic tactics of authoritarian regimes. There’s the suggestion that Russia may be influencing the situation, a common theory that is a recurring theme. The article does, however, clarify that there is no such thing as “far-right,” and those definitions are a misnomer. This point is important to keep in mind while reading the news.
The voting maps of the East, and what is happening, is important, as it is a potential warning sign. The rise of the AfD is a complex issue. It would benefit from some introspection as the local elections approach.
These deaths, while tragic for the individuals and their families, are largely explainable. Sensationalizing them as a massive scandal or a sign of a conspiracy is simply irresponsible and plays on people’s worst fears. It seems the AfD may be reaping the benefits, regardless.