Page "Wilhelm Zaisser" Paragraph 6

Zaisser's downfall was also hastened by his power hungry deputy, Erich Mielke, who actively worked to tarnish Zaisser's standing in the party.

Ultimately, Zaisser and others in the Politburo and the Central Committee were accused of being hostile to the party and removed from their positions.

Ulbricht also accused Zaisser of not using the repressive power of the Stasi to a sufficient extent during the uprising of June 1953.