“An absolute tragedy” – companions react in shock to Aiwanger’s sudden death

Germany's politics is in shock: Hubert Aiwanger, federal and state chairman of the Free Voters, died completely unexpectedly at the age of 55. The father of two was discovered dead in a Berlin hotel room on Wednesday.

Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) reacted with shock to the news of the death of his deputy head of government. "The sudden death of Hubert Aiwanger is an absolute tragedy. We are all deeply shocked," wrote Söder on X. "Our thoughts are now first with his family and his children. We mourn with them and pray for them."

Baden-Württemberg's Prime Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) praised Aiwanger as a controversial politician. “I am very saddened by the sudden death of Hubert Aiwanger,” wrote Özdemir on Platform X. The Bavarian Deputy Prime Minister had rough edges and fought for his convictions. Özdemir directed his thoughts to Aiwanger's family and everyone who was close to him. “My sincerest condolences!”

Bavaria's state parliament president Ilse Aigner (CSU) described the sudden death of Aiwanger (Free Voters) as a serious loss. "It is with great shock and bewilderment that we receive the news that the Minister of State and Deputy Prime Minister Hubert Aiwanger has been torn from the middle of his life. His completely unexpected death is a serious loss for the Bavarian State Parliament and for the entire politics in Bavaria," wrote Aigner on Instagram.

FDP federal chairman Wolfgang Kubicki wrote on

"What a tragedy. Hubert Aiwanger will be missed in Bavarian politics. His relatives have my deepest sympathy," said FDP General Secretary Martin Hagen.

The CSU in the Bavarian state parliament wrote in a post on Instagram: "He died far too early. His death deeply affects us and is a moment to pause."

“A politician who represented his homeland with passion and clear language”

The Green Party leader in the Bavarian state parliament, Katharina Schulze, also expressed her condolences on Instagram: “It was with great shock that I learned of Hubert Aiwanger’s death.” Aiwanger's family wished Schulze "a lot of strength, solidarity and comfort during this difficult time."

The AfD's state parliamentary group in Bavaria also reacted to Aiwanger's death on social media. “Bavaria is losing a politician who represented his homeland and the people in rural areas with passion and clear language.” As deputy prime minister and economics minister, he made great contributions to the Free State.

AfD leader Alice Weidel said: "Very sad news: the deputy prime minister of Bavaria and federal leader of the Free Voters, Hubert Aiwanger, died today in Berlin. My thoughts are with Aiwanger's relatives and friends in these difficult hours."

"The sudden death of Hubert Aiwanger deeply affects me. Bavaria has lost a passionate politician with clear convictions. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family and everyone who was close to him. Rest in peace, Hubert," said former Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer (CSU).