In Germany, in the shadow of the upcoming local elections in the most populated state of North Rhine-Westphalia, there is simply a worrying series of events that has sparked an avalanche of speculation and media reports. By 1 September, at least 7 candidates were confirmed dead from the alternate for Germany (AfD) list. Although authoritative communications powerfully exclude the participation of 3rd parties and item the natural causes of death, the magnitude of the phenomenon raises questions not only about the physical fitness of candidates but besides about the condition of democracy and social tensions in Germany.
According to data from the German DPA press agency, sixteen candidates of all parties died in total, but no another group lost more than 1 representative. That makes the AfD situation statistically unique. Police confirmed that in at least 4 cases death occurred due to natural causes. In another cases, findings are inactive ongoing, but so far no evidence of crime has been found. The last known case was Hans-Joachim Kind – an 80-year-old candidate from Kremenhol territory – who died after a long illness. Land electoral authorities are trying to speech down emotions. Their spokesperson ensures that the number of deaths does not disagree importantly from erstwhile years' data, given the immense number of candidates. We're talking tens of thousands running.
Despite authoritative calming messages, it is hard for the public and the political community to go along with the fact that so many victims come from 1 peculiar party. AfD Vice-President of North Rhine-Westphalia, Kay Gottschalk, announced that the organization would approach each case with due sensitivity and caution. At the same time, he emphasized that there was no reason to talk about assassinations or assassinations. Many of the dead had, as he pointed out, earlier wellness problems. These communications seem to be addressed not only to voters, but besides to organization members themselves, who increasingly feel marginalized and under force in public space.
AfD, despite many controversy, is constantly growing. According to the September RTL/NTV poll, the group leads in nationwide rankings with support of 26 percent. The second place was placed by the Chaldean CDU/CSU block, the leader of which is current Chancellor Friedrich Merz, with a score of 25 percent. Social Democrats, who were inactive a fewer years ago a dominant force in German politics, present fall to 3rd place with only 13% support. In this context, the expanding power of AfD becomes not only a political fact but besides a challenge to the organization strategy in Germany. conventional parties do not seem to keep up with changing social sentiments, and AfD effectively captures the dissatisfied, disappointed and seeking an alternative.
For part of society, AfD inactive remains a organization to the protest – the voice of those who feel forgotten by Berlin's political elite. For others, especially for opponents of this party, it poses a threat to the democratic foundations of the country. In fresh years, the organization has been criticised respective times for extremist language, xenophobia, or besides lenient approach to neo-Nazi environments. Nevertheless, its structures are increasing stronger, and its presence in local governments and Landtags (parliaments of the national states) is becoming more unchangeable and sustainable. Therefore, elections in North Rhine-Westphalia are treated by commentators as a litmus paper of the condition of the German political scene.
The death of candidates alone will not importantly affect the election procedures. Where possible, fresh ballots with alternate names will be printed. Where change is not possible in due time, supplementary elections may be scheduled. Nevertheless, this situation complicates the electoral campaign, not only logistically, but besides psychologically. There is an atmosphere of uncertainty in the electorate and ranks of AfD, and there is no deficiency of conspiracy theories that appear on social media and right-wing portals. Although authoritative data clearly deny this, any organization supporters fishy deliberate action against their candidates.
In this context, it is crucial that the German authorities and the media communicate with citizens. On the 1 hand, transparency and determination are needed to combat misinformation. On the another hand, empathy towards the families of the deceased and respect for the emotions of voters, regardless of their political sympathy, is essential. The deficiency of assurance in public institutions is simply a problem that does not only concern AfD. This is simply a social phenomenon, which has become stronger in many European countries in fresh years. In Germany, where the memory of the tragedy of the 20th century is inactive alive, destabilising public assurance can have serious consequences.
In the coming weeks the eyes of the full German political scene will be turned to North Rhine-Westphalia. The results of the local elections in this Landa will not only show whether AfD will keep its leadership position, but will besides let to measure how deep the political climate change in Germany is. The death of 7 candidates will not halt the election machine, but may become a symbolic reminder of the fragility of life and the work of democratic elections.
Regardless of the eventual causes of candidates' deaths, this situation casts a shadow on this year's election cycle. In the background there are not only diseases and age of candidates, but besides social atmosphere, political tensions and increasing polarization. Germany, as 1 of the most crucial associate States of the European Union, is present facing the choice not only of circumstantial names but besides of the direction in which the country is going. The results from the Rhineland may be the first signal of change that no 1 has yet full predicted.
