Seven Alternative für Deutschland politicians died within two weeks of each other before local elections , prompting party leaders to hint at foul play.

Five direct AfD candidates and two reserve candidates in North Rhine-Westphalia died within 14 days of each other, according to Welt.

Wolfgang Seitz's death at 59 was announced on Aug. 21; the city of Blomberg announced the "unfortunate death" of 66-year-old Ralph Lange on Aug. 27; the city of Bad Lippspringe said 59-year-old Stefan Berendes "died unexpectedly" on Aug. 28; and the city of Schwerte announced that Wolfgang Klinger, 71, died "unexpectedly" on Aug. 19, according to Newsweek. Kay Gottschalk, deputy state chairman of the AfD's North Rhine-Westphalia branch, confirmed the deaths of direct candidate Hans-Joachim Kind, 80

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