Hours before a party speech, prominent German politician Hubert Aiwanger found dead in Berlin hotel room
Death prompts investigation
German police and prosecutors said they were investigating after senior politician Hubert Aiwanger was found dead in a Berlin hotel room on Wednesday evening. They said the inquest would seek to determine the cause and circumstances of his death and rule out possible third-party culpability. The Berlin public prosecutor’s office told Bild there was “no initial suspicion of a crime,” while adding that “nothing can be ruled out.” Bild reported that Aiwanger’s body had no external injuries.
He missed party event
Aiwanger, who served as economy minister in Germany’s largest state, was expected to give a speech at the opening of a Free Voters party office in Berlin. He did not attend after feeling unwell, German outlet Bild reported.
Tributes from Bavaria
Bavarian Premier Markus Soeder called Aiwanger’s death “a terrible tragedy” and said people were deeply shocked. In a statement published on the state government website, he said their thoughts were with Aiwanger’s family and children. A regional government statement also said it mourned the loss of the 55-year-old.
Political career and party ties
The Free Voters of Bavaria have governed in coalition with the conservative Christian Social Union since 2018. The party sent its first member of the European Parliament, Ulrike Mueller, in 2014.
Key points
- Hubert Aiwanger, 55, was found dead in a Berlin hotel room on Wednesday evening.
- He missed a Free Voters event after reporting that he felt unwell.
- Police and prosecutors said an inquest would establish the cause and circumstances of death.
- Prosecutors said there was no initial suspicion of a crime, but nothing could be ruled out.