Alfred Kubel
Encyclopedia
Alfred Kubel was a German
politician
; in his later career, he was a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany
.
In 1928, after attending Middle School, Kubel became an industrial clerk. He had, in 1925, joined a trade union
and the Internationaler Sozialistischer Kampfbund
, a left-wing political party, and in 1933 he became active in resistance to the Nazis. Kubel was arrested in 1937 and was convicted to a one-year prison term for preparation of high treason
. He was drafted into the Volkssturm
, a branch of the military, in 1944, and deserted soon thereafter.
In May 1946, after having joined the Social Democratic Party of Germany
, Kubel was appointed prime minister
of Braunschweig by the British occupation forces; he held this position until the state was merged into Lower Saxony
in November 1946. From 1951 to 1955 and from 1957 to 1970, he had various cabinet-level positions in the government of Lower Saxony. As minister, he also served on the Volkswagen Group
's advisory board from 1965 to 1970.
Kubel was Ministers-President of Lower Saxony from 1970 to 1976; as such, he served as President of the Bundesrat
in 1974/75.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
; in his later career, he was a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany
Social Democratic Party of Germany
The Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
.
In 1928, after attending Middle School, Kubel became an industrial clerk. He had, in 1925, joined a trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
and the Internationaler Sozialistischer Kampfbund
Internationaler Sozialistischer Kampfbund
The Internationaler Sozialistischer Kampfbund was a socialist split-off from the SPD during the Weimar Republic and was active in the German Resistance against Nazism.- History :...
, a left-wing political party, and in 1933 he became active in resistance to the Nazis. Kubel was arrested in 1937 and was convicted to a one-year prison term for preparation of high treason
High treason
High treason is criminal disloyalty to one's government. Participating in a war against one's native country, attempting to overthrow its government, spying on its military, its diplomats, or its secret services for a hostile and foreign power, or attempting to kill its head of state are perhaps...
. He was drafted into the Volkssturm
Volkssturm
The Volkssturm was a German national militia of the last months of World War II. It was founded on Adolf Hitler's orders on October 18, 1944 and conscripted males between the ages of 16 to 60 years who were not already serving in some military unit as part of a German Home Guard.-Origins and...
, a branch of the military, in 1944, and deserted soon thereafter.
In May 1946, after having joined the Social Democratic Party of Germany
Social Democratic Party of Germany
The Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
, Kubel was appointed prime minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
of Braunschweig by the British occupation forces; he held this position until the state was merged into Lower Saxony
Lower Saxony
Lower Saxony is a German state situated in north-western Germany and is second in area and fourth in population among the sixteen states of Germany...
in November 1946. From 1951 to 1955 and from 1957 to 1970, he had various cabinet-level positions in the government of Lower Saxony. As minister, he also served on the Volkswagen Group
Volkswagen Group
Volkswagen Group is a German multinational automobile manufacturing group. , Volkswagen was ranked as the world’s third largest motor vehicle manufacturer and Europe's largest....
's advisory board from 1965 to 1970.
Kubel was Ministers-President of Lower Saxony from 1970 to 1976; as such, he served as President of the Bundesrat
President of the German Bundesrat
In Germany, the President of the Bundesrat or President of the Federal Council is the chairperson or speaker of the Bundesrat . The presidency of the Bundesrat rotates among the heads of government of each of the states on an annual basis...
in 1974/75.