Hubert Aiwanger, prominent German politician, found dead in Berlin hotel
Hubert Aiwanger, 55, deputy leader of Bavaria state and prominent German politician, was found dead in a Berlin hotel room on Wednesday, police confirmed.
Police and prosecutors have opened a probe to determine the specific cause and circumstances of death, with the aim to establish the facts and rule out any possible third-party culpability. Aiwanger was in Berlin to attend the opening of an office for his party but missed the event as he was feeling unwell, according to Bild daily.
Political Career
Aiwanger headed the Bavarian branch of the Free Voters since 2006 and served as both deputy leader of Bavaria state and Bavarian economy minister. Under his leadership, the party entered the state government for the first time in 2018, though never gained enough seats for Germany's federal parliament.
We are all deeply shocked. Our thoughts are now first and foremost with his family and his children.
Past Controversy
The politician had faced national controversy in 2023 after reports emerged of an antisemitic pamphlet he allegedly wrote as a 17-year-old schoolboy, which described Auschwitz as an 'entertainment quarter'. Aiwanger denied authorship but admitted to having had 'one or a few copies' in his school bag, apologized but refused to step down.
Related
