Bavarian deputy premier Hubert Aiwanger is found dead in hotel room: Police launch probe

Published: 19:58 EDT, 4 November 2026 | Updated: 19:58 EDT, 4 November 2026 Bavaria's deputy leader was found dead in a hotel room in Berlin on Wednesday evening.Hubert Aiwanger, 55, was a key political figure within Germany's largest state, and was also the leader of a small conservative party.He had been in Berlin for the opening of a party office, but reportedly cancelled his appearance after feeling unwell.Aiwanger was later found dead in a large, third-floor room of the Neuer Fritz Hotel, according to local media.Police in the capital have launched a probe to explore the possibility of foul play in his 'sudden death'.Investigators said: 'The aim of the inquest is to establish the specific cause of death and the circumstances surrounding it, and to rule out any possible third-party culpability.'They gave no further details.A spokesperson for Berlin's public prosecutor's office said: 'There is no initial suspicion of a crime yet. Nothing can be ruled out at this point.' Hubert Aiwanger, 55, deputy leader of Bavaria, Germany's largest state, has been found dead in a Berlin hotel roomAiwanger did not have any obvious external injuries when he was found, Bild newspaper reported. Bavarian premier Markus Soeder, who was Aiwanger's direct superior, said: 'The sudden death of Hubert Aiwanger is a terrible tragedy. We are all deeply shocked.'Aiwanger was also Bavaria's economy minister and leader of the Free Voters party.The Free Voters of Bavaria have been in a coalition with the conservative Christian Social Union in the state since 2018.