Bavarian Economy Minister Hubert Aiwanger Found Dead in Berlin Hotel at 55

Hubert Aiwanger, the 55-year-old leader of the Free Voters party and Bavaria's economy minister, was found dead in a Berlin hotel room on Wednesday. Bavarian government sources and Berlin police confirmed the politician's death.

Aiwanger had been unable to attend a party event in Berlin due to illness and remained at his hotel instead. The Free Voters party office in Berlin opened on Wednesday as planned.

“The Free Voters of Bavaria will continue their work in the spirit of Hubert Aiwanger.”

Born on January 26, 1971, in Ergoldsbach, Bavaria, Aiwanger had led the party's Bavarian branch since 2006 and became its federal chairman in 2010. He was first elected to the Bavarian State Parliament in 2008.

Following the 2018 state elections, Aiwanger served as Bavaria's minister for economy, regional development and energy, as well as deputy minister-president. State Secretary Tobias Gotthardt of the Free Voters will take over the ministry's affairs at least on an interim basis.

Berlin prosecutors have opened a death investigation to determine the exact cause and circumstances of Aiwanger's death. He was discovered in the early evening at the Hotel Neuer Fritz near Friedrichstraße station.

The Free Voters party stated it will continue its work in Aiwanger's spirit. It remains unclear whether the federal party convention scheduled for November 14 will proceed as planned.