Bavarian politician Hubert Aiwanger found dead in Berlin hotel

Aiwanger was Bavaria's Economy Minister and the chairman of the right-wing populist Free Voters Party. The circumstances surrounding his death are still unclear. Bavarian politician Hubert Aiwanger was found dead in a hotel in Berlin on Wednesday, the German capital's public prosecutor's office said.

Aiwanger was Bavaria's deputy premier, economy minister and the chairman of the right-wing populist Free Voters party. He was 55 years old. The circumstances surrounding Aiwanger's death are still unclear.

Police and prosecutors in the German capital have launched an investigation. On Wednesday evening, investigators said the goal is to "determine the specific cause of death and the circumstances surrounding it, as well as to rule out any possible foul play." He had been scheduled to deliver a speech at the opening of his party's Berlin office, but canceled his appearance due to health reasons, German news agency dpa reported. Aiwanger's body was found on Wednesday evening at the "Neuer Fritz" Hotel on Friedrichstrasse in Berlin-Mitte, according to Bild .