Bavarian politician Hubert Aiwanger found dead in Berlin hotel

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."

Aiwanger had been feeling unwell on Wednesday, German tabloid Bild reported.

He was scheduled to deliver a speech at the opening of a party office in Berlin but canceled his appearance for 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.

Bavarian state premier, the Christian Social Union's Markus Söder, has said he is "deeply shocked" by the news of his deputy's death.

"The sudden death of Hubert Aiwanger is an absolute tragedy," Söder said in a post on X.

"Our thoughts are now first and foremost with his family and his children. We mourn with them and pray for them."