Preliminary results of the autopsy of prominent Bavarian politician Hubert Effanger revealed that there were no indications of third party interference or criminal suspicion in his death, while the German authorities continue investigations to uncover the precise circumstances of the death that shook political circles in the country.
The Berlin Public Prosecution Office said on Thursday (November 5th) that the autopsy conducted on Evanger's body on Thursday did not yield evidence indicating a crime, announcing at the same time that "additional forensic examinations" would be conducted as part of the investigation.
“The details of the cause of death are very personal matters and therefore cannot be revealed,” said Public Prosecution spokesman Michael Petzold.
According to what was reported by the newspaper "Bild", forensic doctors also did not find any indications of suicide, which suggests that Evanger died as a result of an illness or a medical emergency.
A trip to Berlin ended in death
Eifanger, leader of the Free Voters party and Minister of Economy in the state of Bavaria, had traveled to Berlin to participate in the opening of his party's new office in the German capital, a project that was of particular importance to him as part of his efforts to strengthen the party's presence at the federal level, according to Bild.
But the 55-year-old politician canceled his participation at the last minute due to a health problem, and stayed at the Neuer Fritz Hotel in central Berlin. After it was not possible to contact him by phone, he was found dead inside his room at around seven o’clock on Wednesday evening.
On Wednesday evening, the Berlin Public Prosecution Office said that the cause of death is still unknown, while a spokesman for it confirmed that “the exact circumstances in which he was found cannot be revealed currently for reasons related to the investigation.” The police are investigating the circumstances and cause of death, and are also examining the hotel room and considering listening to potential witnesses, as part of procedures aimed at determining the circumstances.
Shock in political circles
Evanger's sudden death sparked a wave of reactions in Germany, especially among conservative politicians. The Prime Minister of the state of Bavaria, Markus Soder, said yesterday, Wednesday, that the news was a “deep shock” to him, adding on the “X” platform that “the sudden death of Hubert Effanger is a tragedy by all standards,” offering his condolences to his family.
On Thursday, Söder delivered a speech in which he expressed his shock and deep sadness. He said that when he heard of Eifanger’s death, he, like many others, could not believe the news and added: “With the passing of Hubert Eifanger, Bavaria loses a figure who left a clear imprint on its political life. He was a man who came from the heart of Bavaria and represented it well...”
For his part, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed on Thursday his "deep impact" by the news, and said: "The Federal Republic of Germany has lost a controversial politician who defended his convictions with passion and determination."
The Chairman of the German Council of States (Bundesrat) and Prime Minister of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik Fust, also expressed his shock at the sudden death of Evanger, saying: “With his death, the Bundesrat loses a veteran and long-experienced member. As a politician close to the people, Hubert Evanger devoted his efforts and passion to defending his Bavarian homeland and serving its interests.”
Co-ruler of Bavaria
Eifanger has been one of the most prominent political figures in Bavaria over the past two decades. He has headed the Free Voters party in the state since 2006, and led its parliamentary bloc since 2008.
When the party entered the ruling coalition in Bavaria in 2018 alongside the Christian Social Union, Evanger became deputy head of the state government and minister of the economy, and played a pivotal role in consolidating the party’s presence within the German political scene.
Controversy did not end his political career
Despite his political success, Evanger faced one of the biggest crises of his career in 2023, after the issue of Nazi-themed publications that were found in his school bag during his teenage years in the late 1980s was raised.
Despite his apology for the case, he refused to resign from his position, and continued to lead the party and carry out his governmental duties.
Eifanger leaves behind two children and his partner, Tanja Schweiger, who holds an administrative position in a district in the state of Bavaria.
