Hubert Aiwanger, the deputy premier of Bavaria and leader of Germany's Free Voters party, was found dead in his hotel room in Berlin on Wednesday evening, aged 55. Berlin police have opened an investigation into the circumstances of his death, and the cause was not immediately clear.

Aiwanger had travelled to Berlin to speak at the opening of his party's new office. He cancelled after feeling unwell, and colleagues who could not reach him asked hotel staff to open his room, where he was found dead.

Key Points

• Hubert Aiwanger, 55, Bavaria's deputy premier and economy minister, was found dead in his room at the Hotel Neuer Fritz in Berlin's Mitte district on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
• Berlin police and prosecutors have opened an investigation to establish the cause and circumstances of death and to rule out any involvement of third parties. An autopsy is expected.
• German media report a natural cause as the current assumption, with no indication of a criminal act found, but that is not official.
• Aiwanger had been due to speak at the opening of his party's new Berlin office but cancelled after feeling unwell. Colleagues raised the alarm when they could not reach him.
• Bavarian premier Markus Soeder called the death "a terrible tragedy" and said: "We are all deeply shocked."

What Happened

Aiwanger was staying at the Hotel Neuer Fritz in Berlin's Mitte district when he was found dead in his hotel room on Wednesday evening. In a statement, Berlin police and prosecutors said he was "found dead in his hotel room" and confirmed that an investigation had been opened to determine the specific cause and circumstances of his death and to rule out any possible involvement of third parties.

According to German media reports, Aiwanger had been in Berlin to speak at the opening of the Free Voters' new Berlin office. He cancelled the appearance after feeling unwell. When colleagues were unable to reach him, they asked hotel staff to open his room, and he was found inside.

The cause of death was not immediately clear. German media reported a natural cause as the current assumption, and the Tagesspiegel reported that police had found no indication of a criminal act. Neither is an official determination, and an autopsy is expected.

Background: Who Was Hubert Aiwanger?

Hubert Aiwanger was one of the most recognisable figures in Bavarian politics. As deputy premier and economy minister of Bavaria, Germany's largest state by area, he held the second-highest office in the state government, serving alongside Bavarian premier Markus Soeder.

Aiwanger led the Free Voters, a small conservative party rooted in Bavaria's local politics. Under him, the party became the junior partner in Bavaria's governing coalition, with a direct say in running one of Europe's most economically powerful regions. It built its support on local autonomy, pragmatic conservatism and scepticism towards Berlin.

As economy minister, Aiwanger was responsible for Bavaria's industry, energy policy and economic development at a time when German manufacturers faced high energy costs and intense competition from abroad. He was known as a plain-speaking politician who frequently clashed with Berlin over energy and migration policy.

Hubert Aiwanger: Bavaria's Deputy Premier and Free Voters Leader

Aiwanger's political identity was inseparable from Bavaria. The Free Voters began as a loose movement of independent local politicians and grew under his leadership into a party that has held power in Munich as part of the state government. He presented himself as a defender of ordinary Bavarians against distant elites in Berlin and Brussels, and his speeches at beer tents and town halls were a fixture of Bavarian political life.

That approach brought him both a loyal following and controversy, but it also made him one of the few state-level politicians with a genuinely national profile in Germany. The opening of a Berlin office for the Free Voters was intended to give the party a permanent base in the capital. Aiwanger's decision to travel to Berlin for the opening underlined how important he considered that step.

Reactions: "We Are All Deeply Shocked"

Bavarian premier Markus Soeder was among the first to pay tribute. "The sudden death of Hubert Aiwanger is a terrible tragedy. We are all deeply shocked," Soeder said — words that captured the mood across Bavarian politics, where Aiwanger had been a central figure for years.

Why It Matters

The death of a sitting deputy premier is a rare and destabilising event in German state politics. Bavaria is Germany's largest state and its economic engine. The deputy premier is not a ceremonial figure: the office carries real responsibility for the state's economy and for the day-to-day running of the coalition government in Munich.

For the Free Voters, the loss is more personal still. Aiwanger was not only the party's leader but its public face, the politician most associated with its rise from a local movement to a governing party. His death leaves a leadership vacuum just as the party was trying to expand beyond Bavaria, and who succeeds him will shape its direction for years.

What Happens Next

The immediate priority is the police investigation and the autopsy, which is expected to establish the cause of death. Berlin police and prosecutors have said they are working to determine the specific cause and circumstances and to rule out any involvement of third parties. No date has been given for the release of the autopsy findings.

In Munich, the Bavarian state government and the Free Voters must fill the gap left by Aiwanger's death. He held two major roles — deputy premier and economy minister — and the party must also choose a new leader. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Hubert Aiwanger?

Hubert Aiwanger was the deputy premier and economy minister of Bavaria and the leader of the Free Voters, a small conservative party. He was 55 years old and one of the most prominent figures in Bavarian politics.

Where was Hubert Aiwanger found dead?

He was found dead in his room at the Hotel Neuer Fritz in Berlin's Mitte district on the evening of Wednesday, November 4, 2026. He had been in Berlin to speak at the opening of his party's new Berlin office.

What was the cause of Hubert Aiwanger's death?

The cause of death was not immediately clear. German media reported that a natural cause was the current assumption and that police had found no indication of a criminal act, but that is not an official determination. An autopsy is expected.

Who is investigating the death?

Berlin police and prosecutors have opened an investigation to determine the specific cause and circumstances of death and to rule out any possible involvement of third parties.

What happens next in Bavaria?

The state government and the Free Voters must address the two roles he held — deputy premier and economy minister — and the party must choose a new leader. No announcements had been made.

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