Politicians across Germany have reacted with sorrow to the death of Hubert Aiwanger, leader of the Free Voters, who was found lifeless in a hotel room in Berlin-Mitte. His party’s national association said it was deeply shaken by his death.
The Free Voters in Bavaria said the state had lost a politician who represented a politics rooted in the centre of society. In a post on X, they remembered Aiwanger as someone who sought close contact with the public, spoke plainly and defended his convictions with passion.
Deputy party leader Armin Kroder described Aiwanger as a personal friend and an outstanding political figure with firm beliefs and a distinctive personality. He said Aiwanger had helped transform a locally rooted political force into an established presence in Bavarian state politics. Parliamentary group leader Florian Streibl said the party had to accept that Aiwanger had been taken from them too soon, adding that Bavaria would be different without him.
Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder said the sudden death was an “absolute tragedy” and that people were deeply shocked. He said their thoughts were first with Aiwanger’s family and children. State parliament president Ilse Aigner also expressed shock, calling his unexpected death a serious loss for the Bavarian parliament and the state’s political life. The CSU said it was deeply affected and stunned.
North Rhine-Westphalia Minister-President Hendrik Wüst remembered Aiwanger as a combative politician whose Bavarian home was always central to him. Baden-Württemberg Minister-President Cem Özdemir described him as a politician with strong edges who fought for his convictions.
Sources: FAZ.