Julius Balkow

Julius Balkow (1909–1973) was an East German engineer and socialist politician who served as the minister of foreign trade from 1961 to 1965 and deputy chairman of the Council of Ministers from 1965 to 1967. Being a member of the central committee of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) he was a member of the East German Parliament between 1963 and 1973.

Early life and education Balkow was born in Berlin on 26 August 1909 into a working-class family. He attended a secondary school and trained as a machine fitter from 1926 to 1929. He attended evening courses in mechanical engineering between 1927 and 1931 and passed the engineering exam in 1931. His tenure ended in March 1965, and Horst Sölle was appointed to the post. Balkow was in office until November 1967 when he was removed from the post.

Balkow was made a member of the SED central committee in 1963 and held the post until November 1967.

Death Balkow died in East Berlin on 19 July 1973 at the age of 63.

Awards Balkow was the recipient of the Banner of Labor which he was awarded in 1969.