AfD Nominates Convicted Murderer for Munich City Council, Wahlamt Intervenes
Munich, February 6, 2026 – The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party inadvertently nominated a convicted murderer, Rainer W., for the upcoming Munich municipal elections. The Munich election office has since removed the candidate from the list, citing his ongoing probation and the resulting loss of his passive right to vote.
Rainer W., 43, had sought to run for the city council. However, the election office determined that his current legal status, including being on probation, rendered him ineligible for candidacy. According to the Regensburg public prosecutor’s office, W. was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2005 for the murder of an 88-year-old neighbor. He has been on probation since 2021, with the remainder of his sentence expected to be remitted in 2026. A five-year disqualification period for political candidacies will commence only after that date.
AfD Admits Oversight, Reviews Internal Procedures
The AfD stated that W. joined the party in early 2025 and was placed 49th on their candidate list. Following the revelation of his past, he has since left the party. A party spokesperson admitted that W.’s conviction was not mentioned during his admission interview. The party is now reviewing whether its internal procedures need to be adjusted to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Further details on the case can be found in a report by our Munich regional editorial team.
This incident highlights potential lapses in candidate vetting processes within political parties, especially concerning individuals with serious criminal records. The swift intervention by the Munich election office underscores the importance of electoral regulations in maintaining the integrity of democratic processes.
The disqualification of Rainer W. ensures that individuals who do not meet the legal requirements for public office are prevented from running, upholding the standards of eligibility for elected positions.
Source: https://www.t-online.de/nachrichten/deutschland/innenpolitik/id_101118436/muenchen-afd-will-verurteilten-moerder-fuer-stadtrat-nominieren.html
