Germany’s upcoming elections in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) have been thrown into disarray after yet another Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) candidate has just died suddenly.
The passing of another populist AfD politician brings the total to seven “sudden and unexpected” deaths in just weeks.
The string of sudden losses has forced officials to shred and reprint ballots.
It’s triggering what German outlet Welt called “immense chaos” less than two weeks before the September 14 vote.
The latest death was Hans-Joachim Kind, 80, a direct candidate in the Kremenholl district.
Kind reportedly died unexpectedly of “natural causes.”
However, Kind’s actual cause of death has not been made public.
Two reserve candidates were also among the fatalities.
René Herford died from kidney failure linked to a liver condition, while Patrick Tietze reportedly committed suicide.
As Slay News previously reported, authorities confirmed earlier this week that four other AfD candidates have also died.
At least four AfD candidates across Schwerte, Rheinberg, Bad Lippspringe, and Blomberg died unexpectedly ahead of local elections.
German economist Stefan Homburg called the first four sudden deaths “statistically almost impossible.”
This sentiment amplified when Elon Musk reposted the warning.
Laut @WDR sind vier @AfD-Kandidaten, die nicht ausgeschlossen wurden, unmittelbar vor der NRW-Kommunalwahl verstorben: Blomberg, Rheinberg, Schwerte, Bad Lippspringe. Statistisch fast unmöglich. https://t.co/zpGdUGAbo9
— Stefan Homburg (@SHomburg) August 29, 2025
Police have only cited “natural causes” for some of the deaths, while others remain a mystery.
Authorities are refusing to disclose any more details for “privacy reasons.”
AfD deputy state chairman in NRW, Kay Gottschalk, told Welt that the party will investigate “with the necessary sensitivity and care.”
However, Gottschalk noted that there is currently “no indication this is murder or anything similar.”
He noted that some of the deceased had pre-existing conditions.
But with so many deaths clustered ahead of one election, many AfD supporters remain uneasy.
The timing is especially significant.
AfD, which Germany’s domestic spy agency controversially branded a “right-wing extremist organization” earlier this year before a court appeal forced a pause on that designation, has surged to become Germany’s second-largest party.
Once polling at just 5.4% in NRW in 2022, AfD skyrocketed to 16.8% in February’s federal elections and is now polling even higher.
AfD’s rise has rattled the political establishment in Berlin, especially as the Ruhr Valley reels from job losses tied to green energy policies and deindustrialization.
Ruhr Valley was once the industrial backbone of Germany.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has increasingly voiced support for AfD in recent months, bluntly warned:
“Either Germany votes AfD, or it is the end of Germany.”
Either Germany votes @AfD or it is the end of Germany https://t.co/Ix58V4USrn
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 31, 2025
Officials now face the logistical nightmare of replacing candidates, reprinting ballots, and ensuring voters can recast valid votes in multiple districts, all under extreme time pressure.
With seven AfD candidates dead in just weeks, concerns are mounting that Germany’s election system is on the brink of chaos at precisely the moment the populist Right is poised for a major breakthrough.
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