German politician found dead in Berlin hotel

German politician Hubert Aiwanger, 55, was discovered deceased in a hotel in Berlin on Wednesday, according to police. The Bavarian deputy leader and head of the Free Voters party had been scheduled to attend the inauguration of his party's new office but canceled due to illness. The cause of death remains undetermined, and authorities have initiated an investigation to uncover the circumstances and rule out any involvement of third parties.

Bavarian state premier Markus Soeder expressed deep shock and sorrow, emphasizing his condolences to Aiwanger's family and children. Aiwanger's Free Voters party held junior status within the Bavarian government led by Soeder's Christian Social Union. The politician had been active in the party since 2006 and played a significant role in the party's integration into the state government in 2018.

Notably, Aiwanger faced controversy in 2023 when Nazi pamphlets were found in his schoolbag from his teenage years in the late 1980s, an incident he acknowledged but declined to resign. He is survived by two children and lived with his partner.