Bavarian Deputy Premier Aiwanger found dead in Berlin hotel room

Hubert Aiwanger, Bavaria's deputy minister-president, economy minister and leader of the Free Voters (Freie Wähler) party, was found dead in a hotel room in Berlin-Mitte in November 2026. Berlin's public prosecutor and the 6th homicide commission of the state criminal police (LKA) opened a death investigation to establish the circumstances.

Aiwanger had been expected to speak that day at the opening of his party's new Berlin office. Reports said he was sought after he did not appear and was then found lifeless in his room. Prosecutors withheld details of how he was found, citing investigative tactics. Media also reported that a clergyman had been in the room before the discovery; this was not independently confirmed.

The news carried great weight because Aiwanger had long been a defining figure in Bavarian politics and in the state coalition with the conservative CSU. He was also the public face of the Free Voters' push for influence at national level. His death raised questions about the party's leadership and future direction.