Bavarian deputy premier Hubert Aiwanger found dead in Berlin hotel, cause unknown

Found dead in a Berlin hotel

Hubert Aiwanger, 55, the Bavarian deputy premier and state economy minister, was found dead in his hotel room in Berlin on the evening of 4 November, according to German media reports. Several outlets described the death as sudden. He had travelled to the capital to attend the opening of an office of his party, the Free Voters, but he did not appear at the event. Focus magazine reported that he cancelled his appearance, citing health reasons, and arranged a replacement. Bild reported that he felt unwell that day and that police officers later found his body at the hotel, which Bild named as the Neuer Fritz on Friedrichstrasse in Berlin-Mitte. Contact with him was no longer possible before the body was located.

Investigation

Berlin police, the public prosecutor's office and the homicide unit have opened an investigation into his death. According to the police statement, the inquiry aims to establish the precise cause and circumstances of death and to rule out the involvement of any third party. The authorities have not disclosed a cause of death and gave no further details. Until the inquiry produces findings, the cause of his death has not been established.

Career and party

Aiwanger had led the Bavarian branch of the Free Voters since 2006 and was also the party's federal chairman. He was elected to the Bavarian state parliament in 2008, where he headed the Free Voters' parliamentary group. In 2018, under his leadership, the party joined the Bavarian state government for the first time as the junior partner of the Christian Social Union (CSU). Despite that regional success, the Free Voters never won enough seats to enter the federal parliament, the Bundestag. He was known for a combative style, and he leaves behind two children.

The 2023 leaflet controversy

Before the 2023 state election, the Süddeutsche Zeitung reported that Aiwanger had written an antisemitic leaflet during his school years in the 1980s. The leaflet reportedly described Auschwitz as a place of entertainment, and he was 17 at the time. Aiwanger denied writing it but acknowledged having one or a few copies in his school bag. He apologised for the affair and refused to resign from his post, and the episode became a national political dispute.

Reactions

Bavaria's premier called the death an absolute tragedy and said his thoughts were first with the family and the children. Other politicians also sent condolences, including Cem Özdemir, premier of Baden-Württemberg, Ilse Aigner, president of the Bavarian state parliament, Karin Prien, federal education minister, and Alice Weidel, leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD). The condolences came from politicians across several parties, which reflects the reach of his role in the Bavarian coalition.