Body found, police open inquest

Police in Berlin said a prominent German politician was found dead on Wednesday, 5 November 2026, and that an investigation had been launched. He was identified as Hubert Aiwanger, 55.

According to the police statement:

• •The body was discovered in Aiwanger's hotel room in the Berlin-Mitte district.
• •The cause of death was not immediately known.
• •Police and prosecutors opened an inquest to establish the specific cause of death and the circumstances surrounding it, and to rule out any possible third-party culpability.
• •No further details have been given.

Aiwanger's roles in Bavaria

Aiwanger led the Bavarian branch of the Free Voters party from 2006 and served as Bavarian economy minister, as well as deputy leader of Bavaria state. Under his leadership the party entered the state government for the first time in 2018, as junior partners in the regional administration led by Markus Soeder's Christian Social Union (CSU). The party never won enough seats for Germany's federal parliament.

Reaction from Markus Soeder

The Bavarian state premier described Aiwanger's death as an "absolute tragedy".

German media reported that Aiwanger had two children and lived with his partner.

Berlin trip and 2023 controversy

According to Bild, Aiwanger had travelled to Berlin to attend the opening of an office for his party but missed the event because he was feeling unwell. Police later found his body in the hotel.

In 2023, Aiwanger faced national controversy over reports that he had written an antisemitic pamphlet as a 17-year-old schoolboy, in which Auschwitz was described as an "entertainment quarter". He denied writing it but admitted having had "one or a few copies" in his school bag, apologised over the affair and refused to step down.

Police and prosecutors are continuing to work to establish the specific cause and circumstances of death and to rule out third-party culpability.