German politician found dead in Berlin hotel

Deputy premier of Bavaria and leader of the conservative Free Voters party, Hubert Aiwanger, was found dead in a hotel in Berlin on Wednesday, according to police. The cause of death remains unknown at this time, as authorities have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding his passing and to rule out any involvement of third parties.

Aiwanger, who was 55 years old, was in Berlin to attend the opening of a party office but had missed the event due to feeling unwell. His body was discovered by police in the hotel after he had failed to show up for the event. Bavarian state premier Markus Soeder expressed his shock and sorrow over Aiwanger's death, stating that their primary concern was with Aiwanger's family and children.

The Free Voters party, which had served as junior partners in the regional Bavarian government led by Soeder's Christian Social Union (CSU), had seen Aiwanger take the helm in 2006. Under his leadership, the party managed to enter the state government for the first time in 2018. However, Aiwanger had faced controversy in 2023 when it was revealed that Nazi pamphlets had been found in his schoolbag during his teenage years in the late 1980s.

Despite apologizing for the incident, Aiwanger did not resign from his position. He had two children and resided with his partner.