Page "Socialist Unity Party of Germany" Paragraph 18

On the day of the 40th anniversary of the founding of the GDR, 7 October 1989, the old Social Democratic Party was ( illegally ) refounded.

Following the riots in the GDR in October 1989, including those in East Berlin and Leipzig, on 18 October 1989, at a special Politbüro meeting, Honecker was forced to resign ; he was replaced by Egon Krenz.

The party made some attempts to adjust state policy, but could ( or would ) not satisfy the growing demands of the people for increased freedom.

Even the party's decision to loosen travel restrictions to the West ( through the opening of the border to West Germany and West Berlin ) did not improve the situation.

On 1 December 1989, the GDR parliament ( Volkskammer ) rescinded the clause in the GDR Constitution giving the SED the leading role in the country's politics.

On 3 December 1989, the entire Central Committee and the Politbüro resigned.

Egon Krenz resigned concurrently as General Secretary.