Bavarian Deputy Premier Hubert Aiwanger Found Dead in Berlin

Hubert Aiwanger, Bavaria’s deputy minister-president and economy minister, was found dead in a Berlin hotel room on November 4, prompting police and prosecutors to investigate the circumstances and cause of death. He was 55. Berlin police and prosecutors said they opened an inquiry to establish how Aiwanger died and rule out possible third-party involvement. On November 5, prosecutors said an autopsy had found no evidence that another person was involved. Authorities had not announced the precise cause of death. Aiwanger was in Berlin for appointments connected to the Free Voters, the party he led. Reports said he had been due to attend the opening of a party office and withdrew from the event for health reasons. His death was discovered later in his hotel room. The precise circumstances of the discovery have not been publicly detailed by authorities. Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder expressed grief in a statement, saying, “We are all deeply shocked. Our thoughts are first with his family and children.” The Free Voters said the party had lost a politician and companion who had made a lasting impact, and said it would continue its work in his spirit. Aiwanger led the...