The facts
Aiwanger, 55, was found dead in a Berlin hotel on Wednesday evening, 4 November; Berlin police and prosecutors opened an investigation into the cause of death. [1][2]
Aiwanger was Bavaria’s deputy minister-president and economy minister, and led the Free Voters in Bavaria from 2006 and nationally from 2010. [1][2][3]
The Free Voters joined Bavaria’s state government as the junior coalition partner in 2018, according to Reuters. [3]
On 5 November, Berlin prosecutors said a preliminary autopsy found no indication of external involvement. Further forensic examinations and the investigation were continuing; this did not establish a cause of death. [4][5]
Bavaria’s economics ministry said Secretary of State Tobias Gotthardt was handling the ministry’s affairs until further notice. [6]
Still unconfirmed
- The cause of death remains unknown; prosecutors said further forensic examinations and the investigation were continuing.
- A permanent ministerial appointment and party-leadership succession were not established in the opened sources.
Corrections & updates
Update: Added Berlin prosecutors’ preliminary autopsy finding that there was no indication of external involvement, while making clear that further forensic examinations and the cause-of-death investigation continued. Added the Bavarian ministry’s confirmation that Secretary of State Tobias Gotthardt is temporarily handling its affairs.
Sources
References support the numbered facts above. Source checks: 6 Nov 2026, 08:34 UTC.
AP, Reuters and Deutsche Presse-Agentur reporting independently establish the death and public roles. Berlin prosecutors’ 5 November primary statement says the preliminary autopsy found no indication of external involvement, while further forensic examinations and the investigation continued; it does not establish a cause. Tagesschau independently reports the preliminary finding. Bavaria’s economics ministry says Tobias Gotthardt is handling ministry affairs until further notice. Its planned 6 November press conference had not yet taken place at the 08:34 UTC verification time and no result is claimed.
- The leader of a German conservative party is found dead at a Berlin hotel
The Associated Press · Reporting · 5 Nov 2026
Opened AP report quoting Berlin police and prosecutors on the discovery and cause-of-death investigation; it gives Aiwanger's offices and party leadership.
- Aiwanger found dead in Berlin hotel; cause of death remains open
Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA), via Süddeutsche Zeitung · Reporting · 5 Nov 2026
Opened DPA report republished by Süddeutsche; it states the age, discovery in Berlin, and ongoing official investigation.
- Deputy premier of German state Bavaria dies suddenly
Reuters, via WSAU · Reporting · 4 Nov 2026
Opened Reuters wire report republished by WSAU; it cites Bavaria's premier and reports the coalition status and Aiwanger's offices.
- Todesermittlungsverfahren nach Tod eines Politikers – vorläufiges Obduktionsergebnis
Berlin Public Prosecutor General · Primary source · 5 Nov 2026
Official statement: preliminary autopsy found no indication of external involvement; further forensic examinations and investigation continue.
- Aiwanger starb laut ersten Erkenntnissen ohne Fremdverschulden
Tagesschau / ARD-aktuell · Reporting · 5 Nov 2026
Independent public-broadcaster report on the preliminary autopsy finding; it does not establish a cause of death.
- Terminänderung und Livestream-Link: Pressekonferenz im Bayerischen Wirtschaftsministerium heute auf 10:30 Uhr vorverlegt
Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy · Primary source · 5 Nov 2026
Official notice says Secretary of State Tobias Gotthardt is handling ministry affairs until further notice. The announced 6 November 10:30 CET press conference was still future at verification time.