Free Voters leader Hubert Aiwanger deceased – found in Berlin hotel

In the afternoon, Aiwanger was scheduled to deliver a speech at the opening of the Free Voters’ office in the capital. However, he had canceled due to health reasons and sent a representative instead. Aiwanger was staying at the “Neuer Fritz” hotel in Berlin-Mitte, later became unreachable, and was ultimately found lifeless in his room.

Aiwanger had been serving as State Minister for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, and Deputy Minister President of Bavaria in Markus Söder’s (CSU) cabinet since 2018. He was born on January 26, 1971, in Ergoldsbach, in the Lower Bavarian district of Straubing-Bogen.

For many years, he was the face of the Free Voters in Bavaria and led the party into the state government. He has been chairman of the Bavarian state association since 2006 and, since 2010, also federal chairman. In 2008, he was elected to the Bavarian State Parliament for the first time and took over the chairmanship of the parliamentary group, which he led until 2018.

Aiwanger leaves behind a partner and two sons. Following the 2023 state election, the coalition between the CSU and the Free Voters under Söder continued, with Aiwanger retaining his offices.

The politician made a name for himself through his criticism of the federal government’s migration, energy and economic policies. He lived with Free Voters District Administrator Tanja Schweiger, with whom he has two sons.

Ahead of the 2023 state election, Aiwanger came under criticism after an antisemitic and far-right flyer from his school days became public. His brother subsequently took responsibility for the pamphlet. The so-called flyer affair became known through a report by the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”. Several media outlets reported on a former teacher who allegedly passed on the flyer. Several criminal charges were filed with the public prosecutor’s office, but investigations were closed. State Premier Markus Söder had expressed his support for Aiwanger in the matter.