Söder calls Aiwanger a Bavarian original at state funeral

More than 1,000 people gathered in Munich to mourn Hubert Aiwanger at a state funeral, where Bavarian Premier Markus Söder called the late deputy premier and economy minister a “true Bavarian original”. BR reported that dozens of people had to follow the ceremony outside the Frauenkirche cathedral over loudspeakers because of the turnout.

“His death affects us all, across party and social boundaries. All of Bavaria is mourning,” Söder told mourners. He described Aiwanger as a committed politician, deeply rooted in his Lower Bavarian home, close to nature and warm-hearted. Aiwanger’s speeches at beer tents combined political information with entertainment, Söder said.

Söder said their working relationship had taken time to develop but had been fair and reliable, and that they had worked together for Bavaria over the past eight years. He told Aiwanger’s sons they could be proud of their father, adding that the state would honour his memory.

Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the archbishop of Munich and Freising, led a Catholic requiem. In his sermon, he praised Aiwanger’s passion and generosity, describing him as combative but good-natured. Marx said Aiwanger had inspired many people and had worked for the community through democratic politics.

A Bavarian lozenge-patterned flag covered the coffin. Aiwanger is the first serving member of the state government to die in office since Franz Josef Strauss in 1988. The leader of the Free Voters party was found lifeless in a Berlin hotel room last Wednesday. He had been in the city for the opening of the party’s capital office but had cancelled his attendance for health reasons.