Bavarian deputy premier Hubert Aiwanger is found dead in hotel room: Police launch probe
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Bavaria's deputy leader was found dead in a hotel room in Berlin on Wednesday evening.
Hubert Aiwanger, 55, was a key political figure within Germany's largest state, and was also the leader of a small conservative party.
He had been in Berlin for the opening of a party office, but reportedly cancelled his appearance after feeling unwell.
Aiwanger was later found dead in a large, third-floor room of the Neuer Fritz Hotel, according to local media.
Police in the capital have launched a probe to explore the possibility of foul play in his 'sudden death'.
Investigators said: 'The aim of the inquest is to establish the specific cause of death and the circumstances surrounding it, and to rule out any possible third-party culpability.'
They gave no further details.
A spokesperson for Berlin's public prosecutor's office said: 'There is no initial suspicion of a crime yet. Nothing can be ruled out at this point.'
Hubert Aiwanger, 55, deputy leader of Bavaria, Germany's largest state, has been found dead in a Berlin hotel room
Aiwanger did not have any obvious external injuries when he was found, Bild newspaper reported.
Bavarian premier Markus Soeder, who was Aiwanger's direct superior, said: 'The sudden death of Hubert Aiwanger is a terrible tragedy. We are all deeply shocked.'
Aiwanger was also Bavaria's economy minister and leader of the Free Voters party.
The Free Voters of Bavaria have been in a coalition with the conservative Christian Social Union in the state since 2018.
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