Hubert Aiwanger Death: Bavarian Deputy PM Found Dead

Hubert Aiwanger death shocked Bavaria and Germany on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, when the 55-year-old deputy minister-president of Bavaria was found dead in a Berlin hotel room. Aiwanger, who led the conservative Free Voters (Freie Wähler) party, had been scheduled to speak at the opening of a new party office but canceled citing health reasons.

Who Was Hubert Aiwanger?

Hubert Aiwanger was born on January 26, 1971, in Ergoldsbach, Bavaria. A trained agricultural engineer, he worked as a successful pig farmer before entering politics more than twenty years ago. He joined the Free Voters in 2002 and by 2006 had become state chairman of the Free Voters of Bavaria. In 2008, Aiwanger and his party entered the Bavarian state parliament for the first time with 10.2 percent of the vote.

In 2018, the CSU and Free Voters formed a coalition government, making Aiwanger Bavaria's economics minister and deputy minister-president. He also served as federal chairman of the Free Voters from 2010. The Bavarian political landscape has long been dominated by the CSU, and Aiwanger's rise marked a significant shift.

What Happened in Berlin?

According to police and party sources, Aiwanger was staying at the Hotel Neuer Fritz on Friedrichstrasse in Berlin-Mitte. He was found dead "in the early evening" of November 4, 2026, after he could no longer be reached. Earlier that day, he had canceled an interview and a scheduled speech at the opening of the Free Voters' new Berlin office, reportedly because he felt unwell with a gastrointestinal infection.

Berlin prosecutors confirmed the discovery and, together with the homicide unit, opened a death investigation to establish the cause of death and rule out third-party involvement. An autopsy was expected. Authorities reportedly assume a natural death due to health reasons.

Timeline of Events

• Morning: Aiwanger cancels a scheduled interview and later a speech at the party office opening, citing health reasons.
• Early evening: He is found dead in his hotel room at Hotel Neuer Fritz.
• Night: The LKA homicide unit arrives; an investigation is opened.
• November 5: Bavaria's state chancellery confirms the death; State Secretary Tobias Gotthardt temporarily handles ministry business.

Political Career and 2023 Antisemitism Scandal

Aiwanger's political career was not without controversy. In 2023, the Süddeutsche Zeitung reported that Aiwanger had written and distributed an antisemitic pamphlet during his school days. Aiwanger denied writing the pamphlet but admitted that "one or more copies" were found in his school bag. His older brother Helmut later claimed responsibility. Former classmates also alleged that Aiwanger had performed the Hitler salute on multiple occasions.

Despite the scandal, the Free Voters election results improved. A few months after the revelation, the party achieved its best-ever result in the Bavarian state election, and under Aiwanger's leadership the Free Voters made significant gains in local elections this spring.

Reactions to Aiwanger's Death

Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder (CSU) called the death "an absolute tragedy," saying, "We are all deeply shocked." Ilse Aigner, president of the Bavarian state parliament, described it as "a great loss for the Bavarian state parliament and for the whole of politics in Bavaria."

Aiwanger leaves behind two children and his partner Tanja Schweiger, who has served as district administrator of Regensburg since 2014. His death raises immediate questions about leadership of the Free Voters and the stability of the Bavarian coalition government. The Bavarian coalition government now faces a period of transition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Hubert Aiwanger's cause of death?

The official cause of death has not been released. Berlin prosecutors opened a death investigation and an autopsy was expected to establish whether Aiwanger died of natural causes or if foul play was involved. Authorities reportedly assume a natural death.

Where was Hubert Aiwanger found dead?

Aiwanger was found dead in a room at the Hotel Neuer Fritz on Friedrichstrasse in Berlin-Mitte on the evening of November 4, 2026.

What was Hubert Aiwanger's role in Bavaria?

He was Bavaria's deputy minister-president, economics minister, and federal chairman of the Free Voters (Freie Wähler) party. He had held the economics minister post since 2018.

Who leads the Free Voters now?

State Secretary Tobias Gotthardt will temporarily handle ministry business. A successor for the party leadership has not yet been announced.