Grafing mayor Christian Bauer dies after collapsing at committee meeting

Grafing Mayor Christian Bauer died after collapsing during a city council committee meeting on Tuesday evening, BR reported. The 57-year-old CSU politician was given emergency resuscitation but could not be revived.

Bauer collapsed shortly after opening a meeting of Grafing’s committee for construction, the environment and public utilities. Council members began resuscitation before firefighters and emergency medical crews arrived and continued treatment. Bauer later died in hospital.

Thomas Huber, a member of the Bavarian state parliament and CSU district chairman who also serves on Grafing’s city council, told BR he was deeply affected by Bauer’s unexpected death. “Grafing has come to a standstill,” Huber said, describing the loss as immense for the town and saying he had lost a good friend. Bauer, he said, was always willing to listen and had close ties to local residents and associations.

Bauer had served as mayor since 2020 and was re-elected in March with nearly 61 percent of the vote. Before becoming mayor, he worked as Grafing’s treasurer for more than 20 years. He leaves a wife and two adult children.

Grafing’s two deputy mayors will initially take over municipal duties while officials determine how the administration will proceed, BR reported. An early election will be held to choose a new mayor for the town of nearly 14,000 people.