Hubert Aiwanger, Bavarian Deputy Prime Minister, found dead in Berlin

Hubert Aiwanger, the 55-year-old Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Bavaria, was found dead in a Berlin hotel room on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. Aiwanger, who also served as the federal leader of the Free Voters party, had traveled to the German capital to attend the opening of his party's new offices. However, he reportedly canceled his appearance due to health issues and designated a replacement before communications with him ceased.

Following the discovery, the Berlin Prosecutor's Office and the Homicide Division launched an investigation into the circumstances of his death. Authorities stated that the inquiry aims to determine the exact cause of death and to rule out any possibility of criminal involvement. No official cause of death has been released as of now.

Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder expressed deep shock, describing the sudden death as an "absolute tragedy." Condolences have been extended by various political figures, including the Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg, Cem Özdemir. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities continue to work on establishing the timeline of events that led to the incident.