Alwin Brück

Career and offices

Brück served in a number of elected and appointed positions over several decades. He was a deputy (Member of the Bundestag) in the German federal parliament, later took on executive parliamentary duties at the ministry responsible for development policy, and represented Germany in European parliamentary forums. His principal offices included:

• Member (Deputy) of the Bundestag — national parliamentary representative (1965–1969).
• Substitute member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe — participating in the Council’s deliberations on human rights, democracy and rule of law (1969–1970).
• Parliamentary Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development — a senior parliamentary-executive post responsible for assisting the minister and acting as a link to the Bundestag (1974–1982).

Roles and responsibilities

As Parliamentary Secretary (Parlamentarischer Staatssekretär), Brück’s duties combined political representation and administrative liaison. Holders of this post customarily answer parliamentary questions, present ministry policy to lawmakers, and support the minister in overseeing development aid programs. The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development is Germany’s central agency for international development cooperation and humanitarian assistance.

Context and significance

Brück carried out his ministry role during a period when Germany expanded its engagement in development policy and multilateral cooperation. His earlier membership of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe placed him within broader European debates about democratic institutions and transnational collaboration. Membership in the Social Democratic Party of Germany is central to understanding his political orientation and policy priorities; the party’s platform traditionally emphasizes social justice, international solidarity and active foreign policy (SPD).

Background and legacy

Born in Heusweiler, a municipality in the Saarland region of Germany (Heusweiler), Brück maintained ties to his regional roots even while engaged at the federal and European levels. He died on 14 February 2020 at the age of 88. His career illustrates the role of parliamentarians who bridge legislative work and executive responsibilities, and highlights the institutional channels through which Germany participates in international development and European parliamentary cooperation.