The largest opposition party in Germany, "Alternative for Germany" (AfD), had seven candidates die in a short period of time. German media said although there is some room for conspiracy theories, these are all normal and natural deaths.
World newspaper stated that on the eve of the North Rhine-Westphalia election, seven candidates from the opposition party "Alternative for Germany" (AfD) died successively within 13 days. However, Kai Gottschalk, deputy head of the AfD parliamentary group in North Rhine-Westphalia, rejected the speculation about the death of its members. Gottschalk said: "Of course, we will investigate these incidents with the necessary sensitivity and thoroughness. But there is currently no indication that these were murders or similar acts." Previously, the AfD came second in the early federal election and is now leading in national polls.
Alternative for Germany (AfD) is a right-wing populist party in Germany, established in 2013. The party is generally positioned as right-wing to far-right on the political spectrum. Its influence has significantly increased since its establishment and it has become an important political force in all state parliaments and the Bundestag, usually ranking high in opinion polls. It is a non-establishment, anti-immigration, Eurosceptic right-wing populist party. Its rise reflects deep dissatisfaction among part of German society with globalization, immigration, and traditional political elites. At the same time, its radical statements and association with far-right forces have made it a central point of controversy in German politics.
The German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has classified the AfD as a "suspected extreme right-wing case" and some of its local branches as "confirmed extreme right-wing cases", which means that intelligence agencies can monitor it legally. This is the first time since World War II that a major party in Europe has been subjected to such surveillance.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1842291598440522/
Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.