Shock has swept through Germany following the sudden death of Hubert Aiwanger, Bavaria's economy minister and deputy premier, who was found dead on the evening of 4 November in a hotel in central Berlin.
According to reports by Deutsche Welle (DW), the 55-year-old politician, who also served as leader of the Free Voters party, was in the German capital on party business when the incident occurred.
Berlin prosecutors confirmed his death, while police launched an investigation to determine the exact cause and circumstances.
According to DW, no official cause of death has yet been announced.
Had reportedly felt unwell earlier
Aiwanger had been due to speak at the opening of his party's new offices in Berlin but cancelled his appearance because of health problems.
DW, citing German newspaper Bild, reported that the politician had felt unwell during the day.
German news agency dpa also reported that Aiwanger missed the scheduled event for health reasons.
Hours later, he was found dead in his room at the Neuer Fritz Hotel on Friedrichstrasse in Berlin's Mitte district.
News of his death triggered an emotional reaction throughout Bavaria's political circles.
Investigation under way
According to DW, the Berlin Public Prosecutor's Office and Berlin Police have launched an investigation to establish exactly what happened.
German authorities said the inquiry aims to determine the specific cause of death, clarify the circumstances in which it occurred and rule out any involvement of third parties.
The case is being handled by Berlin Police's homicide investigation unit, although authorities stressed that this does not mean criminal activity has been established.
No further details about investigative findings have been released.
"We are all deeply shocked"
Bavarian premier Markus Söder expressed profound sadness over the sudden loss of his political colleague.
In a post on X, Söder described Aiwanger's death as an "absolute tragedy", saying he and his colleagues were deeply shaken.
"Our thoughts are first and foremost with his family and his children. We mourn with them and pray for them."
Der plötzliche Tod von Hubert Aiwanger ist eine absolute Tragödie. Wir sind alle zutiefst geschockt. Unsere Gedanken sind nun zuerst bei seiner Familie und seinen Kindern. Wir trauern mit ihnen und beten für sie.
— Markus Söder (@Markus_Soeder) November 4, 2026
Who was Hubert Aiwanger?
Aiwanger was born in Lower Bavaria and became one of the region's most recognisable political figures.
He was first elected to the Bavarian State Parliament in 2008 as a member of the Free Voters, later becoming leader of the party's parliamentary group.
In 2018, when the Free Voters entered a coalition government with the Christian Social Union (CSU), Aiwanger became Bavaria's economy minister and deputy premier.
According to DW, he was known as a combative politician whose outspoken public positions frequently generated controversy.
In 2023, he became the focus of a political scandal after media reports linked him to an antisemitic leaflet allegedly circulated during his school years in the 1980s.
Despite the political fallout, he remained in the Bavarian government.
Aiwanger was the father of two children and lived with his partner, Tanja Schweiger, who is also active in local politics through the Free Voters party.
Source: Deutsche Welle
