Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) expressed shock on social networks on Wednesday evening: "The sudden death of Hubert Aiwanger is an absolute tragedy. We are all deeply shocked. Our thoughts are now first with his family and his children. We mourn with them and pray for them." A statement from Söder at the Home Ministry in Nuremberg has been announced for Thursday afternoon.
Bavaria's state parliament president Ilse Aigner (CSU) also reacted with shock that evening. "It was with great dismay and bewilderment" that she received the news that Hubert Aiwanger "was 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. Our thoughts go out to his grieving family. Our heartfelt condolences go out to them."
The Free Voters themselves were in a state of shock. “Bavaria will be different without him,” wrote Florian Streibl, the leader of the Free Voters in the Bavarian state parliament, in an initial statement. "Deeply shocked, with infinitely deep sadness and horror, we have to accept that our Hubert Aiwanger was taken from life far too early. We will all miss his humanity and love for people, as well as his closeness to citizens and his solution-oriented actions."
Bavaria is losing one of the greats in state politics and the parliamentary group is losing a thought leader and doer. “Hubert Aiwanger was the ideal embodiment of a Bavarian: hard-working, down-to-earth, reliable, clear-minded, committed and always there for others as a person, friend and politician,” said Streibl. Hubert Aiwanger was the face of the Free Voters. “He has shaped our work like no other.”
Bavaria's Digital Minister Fabian Mehring (FW) represented Aiwanger at the opening of the Free Voters' capital office on Wednesday. "Sitting in the hotel now and having to understand that Hubert has died feels completely surreal. I'm stunned and sad, I'm trying to function and wish his family my heartfelt condolences and a lot of strength," Mehring wrote on Instagram on Wednesday evening. When he was asked to step in for Aiwanger in the afternoon due to illness, he wished the FW boss a speedy recovery. Mehring “basically assumed he had a cold,” he wrote on Instagram. "We all owe him so much. Rest in peace, Hubert!"
The CSU parliamentary group leader in the state parliament, Klaus Holetschek, praised Aiwanger's commitment to Bavaria and the people of the Free State. "He is leaving a gap in Bavarian politics that will not be filled any time soon," wrote Holetschek on Platform Aiwanger was a “Bavarian with rough edges”. Someone who was never content to think within known boundaries, wrote Holetschek. Although they didn't agree on everything, behind everything political there was a person who served Bavaria with real heart and soul.
Manfred Weber, chairman of the EPP group in the European Parliament, said: "A moment that brings political life to a standstill and in which it is difficult to find words. I am deeply shocked by the tragic death of Hubert Aiwanger. He burned for Bavaria and its people. Thank you for your work and your commitment. We are losing a warm person full of passion."
Katharina Schulze, the leader of the Green Party in the state parliament, was also shocked on social media: "I learned of Hubert Aiwanger's death with great shock. My deepest condolences go out to his family, his relatives and everyone who was close to him. I wish them a lot of strength, solidarity and comfort during this difficult time."
Die SPD-Landesvorsitzende Ronja Endres machte keinen Hehl aus unterschiedlichen politischen Auffassungen, „wir waren politisch sicher nicht immer einer Meinung und haben unsere Differenzen regelmäßig auch in diversen Talkrunden ausgetragen“, schrieb sie am Abend auf Facebook. “Nevertheless, Hubert Aiwanger always met you with disarming friendliness and humor.” He maintained his authentic nature behind the camera and never pretended. He did a lot for the Free Voters and played a key role in shaping Bavaria's politics. “His death creates a gap in the political landscape of the Free State,” wrote Endres. And: “Leaving so early is rubbish.”
The news “hit him deeply personally,” said SPD parliamentary group leader Holger Grießhammer. „Bei einem solchen Schicksalsschlag fehlen einem die Worte. Hubert Aiwanger war ein streitbarer, leidenschaftlicher Politiker, der sich mit großer Überzeugung für Bayern eingesetzt hat.“
Bavaria's Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU) expressed his deep shock. “For many years we shared responsibility for Bavaria in the cabinet,” he wrote. With Aiwanger, “we are losing a passionate politician who was closely connected to our country and his homeland.”
Bavaria's Social Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ulrike Scharf (CSU) wrote on Facebook: "Hubert Aiwanger was torn from the middle of his life. It is simply unbelievable. I am at a loss for words. My thoughts are with his family. No words can help or even comfort. We are close together in these difficult times."
Baden-Württemberg's Prime Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) praised Aiwanger as a controversial politician. „Der plötzliche Tod von Hubert Aiwanger bestürzt mich sehr“, schrieb Özdemir auf der Plattform X. Der bayerische Vizeministerpräsident habe Ecken und Kanten gehabt und für seine Überzeugungen gekämpft. Özdemir directed his thoughts to Aiwanger's family and everyone who was close to him. “My sincerest condolences!”
Katrin Ebner-Steiner, chairwoman of the AfD parliamentary group in Bavaria, also paid tribute to Aiwanger. „Fast zwei Jahrzehnte lang hat er die bayerische Politik geprägt und sich große Verdienste um den Freistaat Bayern erworben“, schrieb sie in einer Mitteilung. "We often argued hard about the matter. But I always appreciated his down-to-earth attitude."
Martin Hagen, the general secretary of the FDP and former Bavarian state chairman, called Aiwanger's death a tragedy. "Hubert Aiwanger will be missed in Bavarian politics. His relatives have my deepest sympathy."
Bestürzt zeigte sich Kabarettist Wolfgang Krebs, der Aiwanger unter anderem in der BR-Sendung „Quer“ parodierte: „Über viele Jahre durfte ich ihn auf der Bühne und im Fernsehen parodieren. Hinter der politischen Figur stand ein Mensch, der viel zu früh von uns gegangen ist. Meine Gedanken sind bei seiner Familie und allen, die im nahe standen.“
Aiwanger was recognized by Bavaria's business community as an energetic fighter for the interests of entrepreneurs. „Hubert Aiwanger war ein leidenschaftlicher Verfechter der Anliegen von Mittelstand, Industrie, Handel und Handwerk in unserem Land. Sein Tod ist ein großer Verlust für Bayern“, sagte der Hauptgeschäftsführer der Vereinigung der bayerischen Wirtschaft, Bertram Brossardt. “We have lost a long-time companion and reliable partner.” The 55-year-old has made outstanding contributions to the Free State.
