Bavarian institutions pay tribute to Hubert Aiwanger in memorial notices

Politicians and institutions across Bavaria have paid tribute to economics minister Hubert Aiwanger in memorial notices, BR reports. The notices reflect the shock over his sudden death and recognise his political work.

Notices in the Süddeutsche Zeitung came from Minister President Markus Söder, the Bavarian state parliament, the Economics Ministry, the Free Voters, business associations and Messe München. The Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Munich and Upper Bavaria described Aiwanger as “a politician of distinctive character” and “a friend of free speech and clear words”.

A notice signed by state parliament president Ilse Aigner called him “a parliamentarian with heart and soul”.

Aiwanger, 55, had been economics minister and deputy minister president since 2018 in a coalition of the Christian Social Union and the Free Voters, led by Söder. The Lower Bavarian politician, who headed the Free Voters, was found lifeless in a hotel in Berlin-Mitte on Wednesday. He had been unable to give a speech earlier that day at the opening of the party’s office in the capital because of health problems.