Hubert Aiwanger, the second-in-command of the Bavarian government and leader of the populist Free Voters party, has been found dead in a Berlin hotel room. German prosecutors have launched an investigation into his death, stating that while there is no initial suspicion of a crime, foul play cannot be ruled out at this stage.
Aiwanger, 55, was in Berlin for an event to celebrate the opening of a new party office. He reportedly fell ill the night before and decided to rest in his hotel room. Friends discovered him dead later that night when they were unable to contact him. According to Bild, Aiwanger had no external injuries. Sources close to his coalition partner, the Christian Social Union, indicated he had experienced gastrointestinal problems.
Political Career and Controversy
Aiwanger served as a Bavarian lawmaker since 2008 and as Deputy Minister-President of Bavaria since 2018. His political career was marked by controversy, notably an antisemitism scandal that emerged three years ago. A report claimed he published a leaflet mocking the Holocaust in the 1980s. Aiwanger admitted to possessing copies of the pamphlet and described its contents as "disgusting and inhumane."
His older brother, Helmut Aiwanger, claimed responsibility for the literature. Additionally, former classmates accused Aiwanger of making antisemitic jokes and performing a Nazi salute during his school years. Despite these allegations, Aiwanger's party achieved its best-ever result in the 2023 Bavarian State Elections, securing second place.
Reactions to Aiwanger's Death
Markus Söder, Bavaria's State Premier and leader of the CSU, called Aiwanger's death an "absolute tragedy" and expressed shock. "Our thoughts are now first and foremost with his family and his children," Söder stated. SPD politician Karl Lauterbach acknowledged Aiwanger as a "controversial and not easy to deal with" figure.
Aiwanger is survived by his girlfriend, Tanja Schweiger, and their two sons.