He was also among the first members of the Politburo.
In 1948 he became a full member of the Politburo.
He was a member of the Politburo from 1932 until 1952.
He was a politburo member in 1929, and then from 1932.
That year he also became a full member of the Politburo.
In 1973 the minister of defense became a full Politburo member for the first time since 1957.
With their addition, the average age for a Politburo member fell from 71 to close to 60.
All members of the Politburo are elected for five year terms.
He is a member of the Politburo, 43 years old, and has considerable international experience.
At age 54, he was the youngest member of the Politburo.