Leadership of East Germany facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Leadership of East Germany
State Coat of arms
Last General Secretary Egon Krenz 18 October 1989 – 6 December 1989
Residence	Schönhausen Palace Majakowskiring Waldsiedlung
Formation	7 October 1949
First holder	Wilhelm Pieck Otto Grotewohl (first Party Chairmen) Wilhelm Pieck (first president) Otto Grotewohl (first prime minister)
Final holder	Egon Krenz (last General Secretary) Sabine Bergmann-Pohl (last head of state) Lothar de Maizière (last prime minister)
Abolished	6 December 1989 / 18 March 1990 (Communist rule ended) 3 October 1990 (German reunification)

East Germany was a country that existed from 1949 to 1990. During this time, its political leadership was held by different important people and groups. These leaders guided the country and made big decisions.

Leaders of the Main Political Party

Logo of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany

The most powerful group in East Germany was the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED). This party held most of the power. Its leaders were very important in running the country.

Joint Chairmen of the Socialist Unity Party

At first, the SED had two leaders who shared power. They were like co-presidents of the party.

No.		Name	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Party
.		Pieck, WilhelmWilhelm Pieck (1876–1960)	22 April 1946	25 July 1950	4 years, 94 days	SED
.		Grotewohl, OttoOtto Grotewohl (1894–1964)	22 April 1946	25 July 1950	4 years, 94 days	SED

General Secretary of the Central Committee

After 1950, the SED had one main leader called the General Secretary. This person was the most powerful leader in East Germany.

No.		Name	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Party
1		Ulbricht, WalterWalter Ulbricht (1893–1973)	25 July 1950	3 May 1971	20 years, 282 days	SED
2		Honecker, ErichErich Honecker (1912–1994)	3 May 1971	18 October 1989	18 years, 168 days	SED
3		Krenz, EgonEgon Krenz (born 1937)	18 October 1989	6 December 1989	49 days	SED

Honorary Chairman of the Central Committee

After his time as General Secretary, Walter Ulbricht held an honorary title.

No.		Name	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Party
1		Ulbricht, WalterWalter Ulbricht (1893–1973)	3 May 1971	1 August 1973 †	2 years, 90 days	SED

In December 1989, the East German parliament (the People's Chamber) changed the country's rules. This change meant the SED no longer had all the power. This was a big step towards the end of Communist rule in East Germany. The SED then changed its name and became a different kind of political party.

Heads of State

The Head of State is like the main representative of a country. They are often seen as the face of the nation.

No.	Picture	Name (Birth–Death)	Took office	Left office	Political Party
President of the Republic
		Johannes Dieckmann (1893–1969) Acting President	7 October 1949	11 October 1949	LDPD
1		Wilhelm Pieck (1876–1960)	11 October 1949	7 September 1960	SED
		Johannes Dieckmann (1893–1969) Acting President	7 September 1960	12 September 1960	LDPD
Chairman of the State Council
1		Walter Ulbricht (1893–1973)	12 September 1960	1 August 1973	SED
		Friedrich Ebert Jr. (1894–1979) Acting Chairman	1 August 1973	3 October 1973	SED
2		Willi Stoph (1914–1999)	3 October 1973	29 October 1976	SED
3		Erich Honecker (1912–1994)	29 October 1976	18 October 1989	SED
4		Egon Krenz (born 1937)	18 October 1989	6 December 1989	SED
5		Manfred Gerlach (1928–2011)	6 December 1989	5 April 1990	LDPD
President of the People's Chamber of the GDR
1		Sabine Bergmann-Pohl (born 1946)	5 April 1990	2 October 1990	CDU

Heads of Government

The Head of Government is usually the person in charge of the daily running of the country. They lead the cabinet of ministers.

No.	Picture	Name (Birth–Death)	Took office	Left office	Political Party
Chairman of the Council of Ministers
1		Otto Grotewohl (1894–1964)	12 October 1949	21 September 1964	SED
2		Willi Stoph (1914–1999)	21 September 1964	3 October 1973	SED
3		Horst Sindermann (1915–1990)	3 October 1973	29 October 1976	SED
(2)		Willi Stoph (1914–1999)	29 October 1976	13 November 1989	SED
4		Hans Modrow (born 1928)	13 November 1989	12 April 1990	SED / PDS
5		Lothar de Maizière (born 1940)	12 April 1990	2 October 1990	CDU

Heads of Parliament

The parliament (called the People's Chamber in East Germany) is where laws are made. The Head of Parliament leads the meetings and discussions.

No.	Picture	Name (Birth–Death)	Took office	Left office	Political Party
President of the People's Chamber
1		Johannes Dieckmann (1893–1969)	7 October 1949	22 February 1969	LDPD
2		Gerald Götting (1923–2015)	12 May 1969	29 October 1976	CDU
3		Horst Sindermann (1915–1990)	29 October 1976	13 November 1989	SED
4		Günther Maleuda (1931–2012)	13 November 1989	5 April 1990	DBD
5		Sabine Bergmann-Pohl (born 1946)	5 April 1990	2 October 1990	CDU

Heads of the Military

Coat of arms of the National People's Army

The National Defense Council was in charge of East Germany's military and defense. Its chairman was a very important figure in the country's security.

No.		Chairman of the National Defense Council	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Party
1		Ulbricht, WalterWalter Ulbricht (1893–1973)	10 February 1960	3 May 1971	11 years, 82 days	SED
2		Honecker, ErichErich Honecker (1912–1994)	3 May 1971	18 October 1989	18 years, 168 days	SED
3		Krenz, EgonEgon Krenz (born 1937)	18 October 1989	6 December 1989	49 days	SED