German conservative politician Hubert Aiwanger, leader of the Free Voters party and Bavaria’s deputy governor, has been found dead in a hotel room in Berlin, authorities confirmed.
The 55-year-old politician, who also served as Bavaria’s economy minister, was discovered dead in his room in central Berlin on Wednesday evening.
According to the Associated Press, prosecutors said an autopsy conducted on Thursday found no evidence that another person was involved in his death.
The cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
German news agency DPA reported that Aiwanger had been scheduled to speak at the opening of his party’s Berlin office on Wednesday afternoon but withdrew because of health concerns.
Aiwanger had led the Free Voters in Bavaria since 2006 and served as the party’s national leader since 2010.
Under his leadership, the party gained influence in Bavaria, entering the state parliament in 2008 and joining the regional government as a junior coalition partner in 2018.
Despite attempts to expand nationally, the Free Voters struggled to secure representation in Germany’s federal parliament.
Aiwanger is survived by his partner, politician Tanja Schweiger, and their two children.
