Overview

• Investigators say five candidates died of natural causes and one died by suicide, with routine inquiries finding no signs of a crime.
• The regional election office reports comparable candidate deaths in other parties and stresses such cases occur in every election cycle.
• AfD co-leader Alice Weidel questioned the odds on X, and Elon Musk amplified the discussion as conspiracy claims spread online.
• AfD regional vice-president Kay Gottschalk says coincidence cannot be ruled out and the party will still review the cases closely.
• Several municipalities reprinted ballots and voided some mailed votes ahead of the September 14 local elections, as the political impact remains uncertain.