Leadership of East Germany (Romanov World)

The political leadership of East Germany is invested in several offices.

The most important position within the GDR hierarchy is that of General Secretary of the Socialist Unity Party.

The formal head of state originally was the President of the German Democratic Republic, however to date this office has only been held by Wilhelm Pieck from 1949 until his death in 1960. Following Pieck's death the office was abolished, and replaced by a collective head of state, the State Council. The position of Chairman of the State Council has therefore become East Germany's de facto head of sate.

The government of East Germany is headed by the Council of Ministers, with its chairman sometimes referred to as Premier or Prime Minister of East Germany.

The National Defence Council is East Germany's supreme body regarding defence matters. The position of Chairman of the National Defence Council has to date always been held by the General Secretary of the SED.