AfD Politician Christian Zorn Acquitted; Justin Vogel Barred from German Local Election

AfD councilor Christian Zorn was cleared of fraud charges by the Stralsund court, which dismissed both the original case and a second indictment concerning a vehicle repair dispute. Zorn, a member of the Vorpommern‑Rügen district council and the Bergen city council, remains on the AfD state list for the upcoming Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern state election after withdrawing his direct candidacy.

In Lower Saxony, AfD candidate Justin Vogel was denied a spot on the ballot for the mayoral race in Herzberg am Harz. The city election committee cited concerns about his commitment to the free democratic basic order, referencing his prominent roles within the party and its youth wing. Vogel announced he will contest the decision in court, joining other AfD candidates who have faced similar exclusions in the region.