Authorities in Berlin have launched an investigation into the death of Hubert Aiwanger, Bavaria's deputy premier and economy minister, after he was found dead in a hotel.
German prosecutors and Berlin police have opened an investigation into the death of Hubert Aiwanger, the deputy premier and economy minister of Bavaria. Aiwanger, 55, was found dead in a Berlin hotel on the evening of November 4, 2026.
Authorities in the German capital have launched a death investigation to establish the specific cause of death and the circumstances surrounding the event. According to a joint statement from Berlin police and prosecutors, the inquiry aims to "determine the exact cause of death and the circumstances under which it occurred, as well as to rule out the possibility of third-party liability."
While the Berlin Police's homicide investigation unit is handling the case, a spokesperson for the Berlin Public Prosecutor’s Office told Bild that "currently no initial suspicion of a criminal offense" exists, though "at this stage, nothing can be ruled out."
Aiwanger was found dead at the "Neuer Fritz" Hotel on Friedrichstrasse in the Mitte district of Berlin, according to Bild.
Before his death, Aiwanger had reportedly been feeling unwell. According to reports from the German news agency dpa and Bild, Aiwanger had canceled his scheduled appearance at the opening of his party's new Berlin office due to health reasons. No official cause of death has been announced.
Bavarian Premier Markus Söder of the Christian Social Union (CSU) expressed his shock regarding the death. In a post on X, Söder called the death an "absolute tragedy" and stated, "Our thoughts are first and foremost with his family and his children. We mourn with them and pray for them."
Aiwanger had led the Free Voters party since 2006 and served as its national leader from 2010. Since 2018, the Free Voters have served as the junior partner in a coalition government in Bavaria alongside the CSU. During this time, Aiwanger held the positions of deputy minister-president and economy minister.
In a statement issued Thursday, the Free Voters party said, "With Hubert Aiwanger, we lose not only a committed politician and companion, but also a person who had a lasting impact on the political landscape. The Free Voters will continue their work in the spirit of Hubert Aiwanger."
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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