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January 1949–July 1950[edit]

Members of the Politburo of the Party Executive Committee of the Socialist Unity Party from 24 January 1949
Rank Name Birth Pre-merger

party

Concurrent offices Notes
Chair Otto Grotewohl 1894 SPD
Chair Wilhelm Pieck 1876 KPD
Member Walter Ulbricht 1893 KPD
Member Franz Dahlem 1892 KPD
  • Party offices
    • Head, West Commission
Member Friedrich Ebert Jr. 1894 SPD
Member Helmut Lehmann 1882 SPD
Member Paul Merker 1894 KPD
Candidate Anton Ackermann 1905 SPD
Candidate Karl Steinhoff 1892 SPD
Candidate Heinrich Rau 1899 KPD co-opted 20 July 1949
Candidate Wilhelm Zaisser 1893 KPD co-opted 14 March 1950

July 1950–July 1953[edit]

Members of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party elected at the 1st meeting of the Central Committee after the III. SED party conference (25 July 1950)
Rank Name PVPB Pre-merger

party

Birth Concurrent offices Notes
Chair Walter Ulbricht Yes KPD 1893
Member Otto Grotewohl Chair SPD 1894
Member Wilhelm Pieck Chair KPD 1876
Member Friedrich Ebert Jr. Yes SPD 1894
Member Franz Dahlem Yes KPD 1892 — expelled 13 May 1953
Member Wilhelm Zaisser Candidate KPD 1893
Member Heinrich Rau Candidate KPD 1899
Member Hermann Matern No KPD 1893
Member Fred Oelßner No KPD 1903
Candidate Anton Ackermann Candidate SPD 1905
Candidate Rudolf Herrnstadt No KPD 1903
Candidate Erich Honecker No KPD 1912
Candidate Hans Jendretzky No KPD 1897
Candidate Erich Mückenberger No SPD 1910
Candidate Elli Schmidt No KPD 1908

July 1953–July 1958[edit]

The Politburo in April 1955
Members of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party elected at the 1st meeting of the Central Committee after the IV. Party Congress of the SED (26 July 1953)
Rank Name old PB PSC Pre-merger

party

Birth Concurrent offices Notes
Chair Walter Ulbricht Chair Yes KPD 1893
Member Otto Grotewohl Yes Yes SPD 1894
Member Hermann Matern Yes Yes KPD 1893
Member Willi Stoph No Yes KPD 1914
Member Karl Schirdewan No Yes KPD 1907 expelled 3 Febuary 1958
Member Wilhelm Pieck Yes No KPD 1876
Member Friedrich Ebert Jr. Yes No SPD 1894
Member Heinrich Rau Yes No KPD 1899
Member Fred Oelßner Yes No KPD 1903 expelled 3 Febuary 1958
Candidate Erich Honecker Candidate Secretary KPD 1912 co-opted to Security Commission in 1956
Candidate Erich Mückenberger Candidate No SPD 1910
Candidate Bruno Leuschner No Yes KPD 1910
Candidate Alfred Neumann No Yes KPD 1909 co-opted 7 April 1954,

elevated to full member 3 Febuary 1958

Candidate Herbert Warnke No No KPD 1902

July 1958–September 1960[edit]

After the V. Party Congress of the SED, five new members were appointed to the Politburo for the first time – including future First Secretary Erich Honecker now as full member –, and the chairman of the largest mass organization in the GDR, the FDGB, was now integrated into the Politburo as well. The average age of the 13 officials was 56.8 years. The V. Party Congress also saw the addition of eight new candidate members, including Central Committee Secretaries Kurt Hager and Paul Verner, who would become powerful full members eventually.

Members of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party elected at the 1st meeting of the Central Committee after the V. Party Congress of the SED (16 July 1958)
Rank Name old PB PSC Pre-merger

party

Birth Concurrent offices Notes
Chair Walter Ulbricht Chair Yes KPD 1893
Member Otto Grotewohl Yes Yes SPD 1894
Member Hermann Matern Yes Yes KPD 1893
Member Army General
Willi Stoph 		Yes Yes KPD 1914
Member Alfred Neumann Yes Yes KPD 1909
Member Erich Honecker Candidate Secretary KPD 1912
Member Bruno Leuschner Candidate Yes KPD 1910
Member Wilhelm Pieck Yes No KPD 1876
Member Friedrich Ebert Jr. Yes No SPD 1894
Member Heinrich Rau Yes No KPD 1899
Member Erich Mückenberger Candidate No SPD 1910
Member Herbert Warnke Candidate No KPD 1902
Member Albert Norden No No KPD 1904
Candidate Alois Pisnik No Yes KPD 1911
Candidate Edith Baumann No No — 1909
Candidate Luise Ermisch No No — 1916
  • Operations Manager, VEB Hallesche Kleiderwerke
Candidate Paul Fröhlich No No KPD 1913
Candidate Kurt Hager No No KPD 1912
Candidate Alfred Kurella No No KPD 1895
Candidate Karl Mewis No No KPD 1907
Candidate Paul Verner No No KPD 1911
Candidate Gerhard Grüneberg No No KPD 1921 co-opted 10 December 1959

September 1960–January 1963; Politburo after Wilhelm Pieck's death[edit]

On 7 September 1960, President of East Germany Wilhelm Pieck died. In keeping with a close orientation to the Soviet Union, the presidency was abolished, the newly founded State Council replacing it as collective head of state. Ulbricht was elected as it's Chairman on 12 September, effectively making him East Germany's head of state. In March 1960, the Security Commission at the Politburo was also effectively superseded by the National Defence Council, a collective body in charge of national defense matters, with Ulbricht as Chairman being East Germany's de facto commander-in-chief.

Members of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party after Wilhelm Pieck's death
Rank Name NVR SC Pre-merger

party

Birth Concurrent offices Notes
Chair Walter Ulbricht Chair Chair KPD 1893
Member Otto Grotewohl Yes Deputy

Chair

SPD 1894
Member Bruno Leuschner Yes Yes KPD 1910
Member Hermann Matern Yes No KPD 1893
Member Army General
Willi Stoph 		Yes No KPD 1914
Member Alfred Neumann Yes No KPD 1909
Member Erich Honecker Secretary No KPD 1912
Member Albert Norden Yes No KPD 1904
Member Friedrich Ebert Jr. No Yes SPD 1894
Member Heinrich Rau No No KPD 1899 died 23 March 1961
Member Erich Mückenberger No No SPD 1910
Member Herbert Warnke No No KPD 1902
Candidate Alois Pisnik Yes No KPD 1911
Candidate Luise Ermisch No Yes — 1916
  • Operations Manager, VEB Hallesche Kleiderwerke
Candidate Karl Mewis No Yes KPD 1907
Candidate Edith Baumann No No — 1909
  • Party offices
Candidate Paul Fröhlich No No KPD 1913
Candidate Kurt Hager No No KPD 1912
Candidate Alfred Kurella No No KPD 1895
Candidate Paul Verner No No KPD 1911
Candidate Gerhard Grüneberg No No KPD 1921
Candidate Erich Apel No No SPD 1917 co-opted 3 July 1961

January 1963–April 1967[edit]

After the VI. Party Congress of the SED, all the surviving Politburo members retained their positions. To replace the deceased Rau and Pieck, three new members were elected: Paul Fröhlich, Kurt Hager, and Paul Verner, including two 1st District Secretaries. Notably, 5 out of 9 Central Committee Secretaries were also members of the Politburo. Before the next personnel change, Otto Grotewohl and Bruno Leuschner passed away. The succession for the Chairmanship of the Council of Ministers was internally managed within the Politburo, with Willi Stoph assuming the role. The average age of the functionaries was 56.8 years.


The next biggest change happened on 15 September 1966, when Gerhard Grüneberg and Günter Mittag became full members. They were added as economic experts after the failure of the National Economy Council. The average age of the functionaries now was 57,6 years.

Members of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party elected at the 1st meeting of the Central Committee after the VI. SED party conference (21 January 1963)
Rank Name old PB NVR SC Pre-merger

party

Birth Concurrent offices Notes
Chair Walter Ulbricht Chair Chair Chair KPD 1893
Member Otto Grotewohl Yes Yes Deputy

Chair

SPD 1894 died 21 September 1964
Member Army General
Willi Stoph 		Yes Yes Deputy

Chair

KPD 1914 State Council Deputy Chair

replacing Grotewohl

Member Erich Honecker Yes Secretary No KPD 1912
Member Bruno Leuschner Yes Yes No KPD 1910 died 10 February 1965
Member Hermann Matern Yes Yes No KPD 1893
Member Alfred Neumann Yes Yes No KPD 1909
Member Albert Norden Yes Yes No KPD 1904
Member Friedrich Ebert Jr. Yes No Yes SPD 1894
Member Erich Mückenberger Yes No No SPD 1910
Member Herbert Warnke Yes No No KPD 1902
Member Paul Verner Candidate No No KPD 1911
Member Kurt Hager Candidate No No KPD 1912
Member Paul Fröhlich Candidate No No KPD 1913
Candidate Gerhard Grüneberg Candidate No No KPD 1921 elevated to full member 15 September 1966
Candidate Erich Apel Candidate No No SPD 1917 committed suicide 3 December 1965
Candidate Günter Mittag No No Yes KPD 1926 elevated to full member 15 September 1966
Candidate Hermann Axen No No No KPD 1916
Candidate Werner Jarowinsky No No No KPD 1927
Candidate Horst Sindermann No No No KPD 1915
Candidate Georg Ewald No No No — 1926
  • Party offices
  • State offices
    • Chairman, Agriculture Council (from 9 February 1963)
Candidate Karl-Heinz Bartsch No No No — 1923
  • State offices
    • Chairman, Agriculture Council (from 7 to 9 February 1963)
 expelled 9 February 1963
Candidate Margarete Müller No No No — 1931 —

April 1967–May 1971[edit]

The Politburo in July 1968

The existing Politburo was confirmed by the VII. Party Congress of the SED. Horst Sindermann, SED District Chief of the important chemical district Halle, was newly added. This increased the number of Politburo members to 15. Their average age was 57.7 years.

Members of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party elected at the 1st meeting of the Central Committee after the VII. SED party conference (22 April 1967)
Rank Name old PB NVR SC Birth PM Concurrent offices Notes
Chair Walter Ulbricht Chair Chair Chair 1893 1946
Member Army General
Willi Stoph 		Yes Yes Deputy

Chair

1914 1946
Member Erich Honecker Yes Secretary No 1912 1946
Member Hermann Matern Yes Yes No 1893 1946 died 24 January 1971
Member Alfred Neumann Yes Yes No 1909 1946
Member Albert Norden Yes Yes No 1904 1946
Member Günter Mittag Yes No Yes 1926 1946
Member Friedrich Ebert Jr. Yes No Yes 1894 1946
Member Erich Mückenberger Yes No No 1910 1946
Member Herbert Warnke Yes No No 1902 1946
Member Paul Verner Yes No No 1911 1946
Member Kurt Hager Yes No No 1912 1946
Member Paul Fröhlich Yes No No 1913 1946 died 19 September 1970
Member Gerhard Grüneberg Yes No No 1921 1946
Member Horst Sindermann Candidate No No 1915 1946
Candidate Hermann Axen Candidate No No 1916 1946 elevated to full member 11 December 1970
Candidate Werner Jarowinsky Candidate No No 1927 1946
Candidate Georg Ewald Candidate No No 1926 1946
Candidate Margarete Müller Candidate No No 1931 1951 —
Candidate Walter Halbritter No No No 1927 1946
Candidate Günther Kleiber No No No 1931 1950
Candidate Werner Lamberz No No No 1929 1947 co-opted 11 December 1970

May–June 1971; Politburo after Ulbricht's deposition[edit]

By 1970, the relationship between Ulbricht and his former protégé Honecker had soured, with significant disagreements on economic matters. Ulbricht's Economic System of Socialism had failed to raise the GDR's competitiveness with West Germany. In addition, numerous national go-it-alones and arrogance by Ulbricht worsened his already strained relationship with new Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. In July 1970, Ulbricht had briefly removed Honecker from power, but had to reverse his decision after Soviet pressure. After finally receiving Brezhnev's approval, Honecker drove to Ulbricht's summer residence in Groß Dölln with armed escort on 26 April 1971 and forced him to sign a resignation letter. The change of power took effect on 3 May 1971.

Ulbricht stayed Chairman of the State Council and was elected (Honorary) Chairman of the Central Committee, but found himself isolated and humilated until his death in 1973.

Members of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party after Ulbricht's deposition (3 May 1971)
Rank Name NVR SC Birth PM Concurrent offices
Chair Erich Honecker Chair No 1912 1946
Member Walter Ulbricht Yes Chair 1893 1946
Member Army General
Willi Stoph 		Yes Deputy

Chair

1914 1946
Member Alfred Neumann Yes No 1909 1946
Member Albert Norden Yes No 1904 1946
Member Günter Mittag No Yes 1926 1946
Member Friedrich Ebert Jr. No Yes 1894 1946
Member Erich Mückenberger No No 1910 1946
Member Herbert Warnke No No 1902 1946
Member Paul Verner No No 1911 1946
Member Kurt Hager No No 1912 1946
Member Gerhard Grüneberg No No 1921 1946
Member Horst Sindermann No No 1915 1946
Member Hermann Axen No No 1916 1946
Candidate Werner Jarowinsky No No 1927 1946
Candidate Georg Ewald No No 1926 1946
Candidate Margarete Müller No No 1931 1951 —
Candidate Walter Halbritter No No 1927 1946
Candidate Günther Kleiber No No 1931 1950
Candidate Werner Lamberz No No 1929 1947

June 1971–October 1973[edit]

The VIII. Party Congress of the SED confirmed the transfer of power from Ulbricht to Honecker and legitimized the rejuvenation policy of the First Secretary. Two relatively young members, Werner Krolikowski and Werner Lamberz, were newly elected. Particularly, Krolikowski quickly rose to a top position as a functionary. Unlike Lamberz, he had not been a Central Committee Secretary or a candidate of the Politburo before his election. Additionally, there was a significant turnover in party functions. Now, 8 out of 11 Central Committee Secretaries were Politburo members. The average age of the 16 functionaries was 58.1 years.

Members of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party elected at the 1st meeting of the Central Committee after the VIII. Party Congress of the SED (19 June 1971)
Rank Name old PB NVR SC Birth PM Concurrent offices Notes
Chair Erich Honecker Chair Chair Yes 1912 1946
Member Walter Ulbricht Yes Yes Chair 1893 1946 died 1 August 1973
Member Army General
Willi Stoph 		Yes Yes Deputy

Chair

1914 1946
Member Alfred Neumann Yes Yes No 1909 1946
Member Albert Norden Yes Yes No 1904 1946
Member Horst Sindermann Yes Yes No 1915 1946 elected to National Defence Council in 1972
Member Friedrich Ebert Jr. Yes No Deputy

Chair

1894 1946
Member Günter Mittag Yes No Yes 1926 1946
Member Erich Mückenberger Yes No No 1910 1946
Member Herbert Warnke Yes No No 1902 1946
Member Paul Verner Yes No No 1911 1946
Member Kurt Hager Yes No No 1912 1946
Member Gerhard Grüneberg Yes No No 1921 1946
Member Hermann Axen Yes No No 1916 1946
Member Werner Lamberz Candidate No No 1929 1947
Member Werner Krolikowski No No No 1928 1946
Candidate Erich Mielke No Yes No 1907 1946
Candidate Margarete Müller Candidate No Yes 1931 1951 —
Candidate Werner Jarowinsky Candidate No No 1927 1946
Candidate Walter Halbritter Candidate No No 1927 1946
Candidate Günther Kleiber Candidate No No 1931 1950
Candidate Georg Ewald Candidate No No 1926 1946 died 14 September 1973
Candidate Harry Tisch No No No 1927 1946

October 1973–May 1976[edit]

After the death of Walter Ulbricht, Erich Honecker was able to restructure the Politburo according to his discretion at the next Central Committee meeting. Defense Minister Heinz Hoffmann was newly elected to the Politburo, marking the first time since 1960 that the military leadership was directly represented in the Politburo. Günter Mittag initially fell out of favor. He retained his seat in the Politburo but was relieved of his responsibilities as a Economic Central Committee Secretary. Willi Stoph was sidelined as potential rival to be Chairman of the State Council, and Horst Sindermann became Chairman of the Council of Ministers. These positions were later parliamentary legitimized by the Volkskammer on October 3, 1973. The average age of the 16 functionaries was 59.3 years.

Members of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party elected at the 10th meeting of the Central Committee after the VIII. Party Congress of the SED (2 October 1973)
Rank Name old PB NVR SC Birth PM Concurrent offices Notes
Chair Erich Honecker Chair Chair Yes 1912 1946
Member Army General
Willi Stoph 		Yes Yes Chair 1914 1946
Member Horst Sindermann Yes Yes No 1915 1946
Member Alfred Neumann Yes Yes No 1909 1946
Member Albert Norden Yes Yes No 1904 1946
Member Werner Krolikowski Yes Yes No 1928 1946
Member Army General
Heinz Hoffmann 		No Yes No 1910 1946
Member Friedrich Ebert Jr. Yes No Deputy

Chair

1894 1946
Member Paul Verner Yes No Yes 1911 1946
Member Günter Mittag Yes No Yes 1926 1946
Member Herbert Warnke Yes No Yes 1902 1946 died 26 March 1975
Member Erich Mückenberger Yes No No 1910 1946
Member Kurt Hager Yes No No 1912 1946
Member Gerhard Grüneberg Yes No No 1921 1946
Member Hermann Axen Yes No No 1916 1946
Member Werner Lamberz Yes No No 1929 1947
Candidate Harry Tisch Candidate No Yes 1927 1946 elevated to full member 5 June 1975

elected to State Council in 1975

Candidate Erich Mielke Candidate Yes No 1907 1946
Candidate Margarete Müller Candidate No Yes 1931 1951 —
Candidate Werner Jarowinsky Candidate No No 1927 1946
Candidate Günther Kleiber Candidate No No 1931 1950
Candidate Konrad Naumann No No No 1928 1946
Candidate Werner Felfe No No No 1928 1946
Candidate Joachim Herrmann No No No 1928 1948
Candidate Ingeburg Lange No No No 1927 1946
Candidate Gerhard Schürer No No No 1921 1948

May 1976–April 1981[edit]

After the IX. Party Congress, the existing Politburo composition was confirmed, and it was expanded to 19 members by adding three new members. The newcomers were Werner Felfe (48) and Konrad Naumann (47), as well as the 68-year-old Stasi head, Erich Mielke. This marked the first time since 1953 that the Ministry for State Security was directly represented in the Politburo through its minister. Günter Mittag returned to his previous post as powerful Economic Secretary. The title of First Secretary of the Central Committee of the SED was renamed back to General Secretary. Erich Honecker became the Chairman of the State Council and Willi Stoph returned as Chairman of the Council of Ministers. Horst Sindermann's economic views being deemed to liberal, he was demoted to being the President of the Volkskammer, a purely symbolic post previously held by a member of the bloc parties.

Despite partial rejuvenation, the average age was now 59.6 years.

The next biggest change happened in 1979, when Kurt Hager and Günter Mittag, part of Honecker's inner circle, became National Defence Council and State Council (in the case of Mittag) members. Albert Norden's retirement for health reasons also meant his responsibilities were taken over by other Politburo members. Friendly Parties went to Joachim Herrmann, also part of Honecker's inner circle. Herrmann had been made a full member in 1978 and also took over Agitation from Werner Lamberz, who had died in a helicopter crash in Libya. Foreign Information went to Hermann Axen. The average age was now 61.9 years.

Members of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party elected at the 1st meeting of the Central Committee after the IX. SED party conference (22 May 1976)
Rank Name old PB NVR SC Birth PM Concurrent offices Notes
Chair Erich Honecker Chair Chair Chair 1912 1946
Member Army General
Willi Stoph 		Yes Yes Deputy

Chair

1914 1946
Member Horst Sindermann Yes Yes Deputy

Chair

1915 1946
Member Albert Norden Yes Yes Yes 1904 1946 left National Defence Council in 1979
Member Günter Mittag Yes Yes Yes 1926 1946 elected to National Defence Council and State Council in 1979
Member Kurt Hager Yes Yes Yes 1912 1946 elected to National Defence Council in 1979
Member Alfred Neumann Yes Yes No 1909 1946
Member Werner Krolikowski Yes Yes No 1928 1946
Member Army General
Heinz Hoffmann 		Yes Yes No 1910 1946
Member Army General
Erich Mielke 		Candidate Yes No 1907 1946
Member Werner Felfe Candidate Yes No 1928 1946
Member Friedrich Ebert Jr. Yes No Deputy

Chair

1894 1946 died 4 December 1979
Member Paul Verner Yes No Yes 1911 1946
Member Harry Tisch Yes No Yes 1927 1946
Member Erich Mückenberger Yes No No 1910 1946
Member Gerhard Grüneberg Yes No No 1921 1946 died 10 April 1981
Member Hermann Axen Yes No No 1916 1946
Member Werner Lamberz Yes No No 1929 1947 died 6 March 1978
Member Konrad Naumann Candidate No No 1928 1946
Candidate Joachim Herrmann Candidate No No 1928 1948 elevated to full member 25 May 1978
Candidate Margarete Müller Candidate No Yes 1931 1951 —
Candidate Werner Jarowinsky Candidate No No 1927 1946
Candidate Günther Kleiber Candidate No No 1931 1950
Candidate Ingeburg Lange Candidate No No 1927 1946
Candidate Gerhard Schürer Candidate No No 1921 1948
Candidate Horst Dohlus No No No 1925 1946 elevated to full member 21 May 1980
Candidate Egon Krenz No No No 1937 1955
Candidate Werner Walde No No No 1926 1946

April 1981–May 1984[edit]

The 10th Party Congress of the SED did not elect any new members to the Politburo. There was no response to the sudden death of Gerhard Grüneberg six days prior. Albert Norden retired from the Politburo due to health reasons, dying a little over a year afterwards. As a result, after years of continuous expansion, the Politburo was reduced in size for the first time to 17 officials.

A major change occurred in November 1983: Egon Krenz, protégé of Honecker, also serving as First Secretary of the Free German Youth, was elevated to full member 24 November 1983. He also took on responsibilities for Security Affairs from Honecker and State and Legal Affairs as well as Youth from Paul Verner. Verner had been the Politburo's number two Secretary for most of the decade, but suffered from ailing health, causing him to have to retire completely in 1984. The average age was now 63.7 years, the highest up to that point.

Members of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party elected at the 1st meeting of the Central Committee after the X. Party Congress of the SED (16 April 1981)
Rank Name old PB NVR SC Birth PM Concurrent offices Notes
Chair Erich Honecker Chair Chair Chair 1912 1946
Member Army General
Willi Stoph 		Yes Yes Deputy

Chair

1914 1946
Member Horst Sindermann Yes Yes Deputy

Chair

1915 1946
Member Paul Verner Yes No Deputy

Chair

1911 1946
Member Günter Mittag Yes Yes Yes 1926 1946
Member Kurt Hager Yes Yes Yes 1912 1946
Member Werner Felfe Yes Yes Yes 1928 1946
Member Alfred Neumann Yes Yes No 1909 1946
Member Werner Krolikowski Yes Yes No 1928 1946
Member Army General
Heinz Hoffmann 		Yes Yes No 1910 1946
Member Army General
Erich Mielke 		Yes Yes No 1907 1946
Member Harry Tisch Yes No Yes 1927 1946
Member Erich Mückenberger Yes No No 1910 1946
Member Hermann Axen Yes No No 1916 1946
Member Konrad Naumann Yes No No 1928 1946
  • Party offices
Member Joachim Herrmann Yes No No 1928 1948
Member Horst Dohlus Yes No No 1925 1946
Candidate Egon Krenz Candidate No Yes 1937 1955 elevated to full member 24 November 1983
Candidate Margarete Müller Candidate No Yes 1931 1951 —
Candidate Werner Jarowinsky Candidate No No 1927 1946
Candidate Günther Kleiber Candidate No No 1931 1950
Candidate Ingeburg Lange Candidate No No 1927 1946
Candidate Gerhard Schürer Candidate No No 1921 1948
Candidate Werner Walde Candidate No No 1926 1946
Candidate Günter Schabowski No No No 1929 1952

May 1984–April 1986[edit]

At the next Central Committee meeting in May 1984, there was another attempt to rejuvenate the Politburo by introducing new officials. In their mid-fifties, Häber, Jarowinsky, Kleiber, and Schabowski became full members of the Politburo. Of particular note was the rapid career advancement of International Politics and Economics department head Herbert Häber, who became a Politburo member and Central Committee Secretary without a candidate membership period. Consequently, 12 out of the 13 Central Committee Secretaries were now simultaneously members of the Politburo. The total number of members increased to an unprecedented 22 officials. Nevertheless, the average age only decreased to 62.4 years, as 10 officials were 68 years old or older.

The next biggest change happened at the 11th Central Committee meeting on 22 November 1985: Approximately a year and a half after his surprising entry into the Politburo, Herbert Häber was expelled from this body. Häber officially resigned for health reasons (and indeed was briefly institutionalized), but was actually expelled as a scapegoat for Honecker's increasingly strained relationship with the Soviets.

Both Häber and Honecker were strong supporters of rapprochement with West Germany, Häber being put in charge of preparing Honecker's second planned state visit there, the first one having been cancelled by Soviet pressure. On 17 August 1984, Honecker unsuccessfully tried to convince Soviet leader Konstantin Chernenko of the visit, but he disapproved. Fearing personal consequences, Honecker abandoned Häber, who had already become isolated in the Politburo by its pro-Moscow faction, and dictated him his resignation letter on 16 September 1985.

At the same time, Berlin First Secretary Konrad Naumann also faced expulsion. Naumann also officially retired for health reasons, but he was inofficially deposed due to a critical speech and his excessive alcohol consumption. Neues Deutschland editor-in-chief Günter Schabowski replaced him as Berlin First Secretary. This marked the first official disciplinary action against Politburo members in over 30 years, since the non-reappointment of Wilhelm Zaisser.

The 11th Central Committee meeting also saw three First Secretaries, Siegfried Lorenz (Bezirk Karl-Marx-Stadt), Werner Eberlein (Bezirk Magdeburg) and Gerhard Müller (Bezirk Erfurt), being elected as candidate members.

Furthermore, Paul Verner resigned from his position due to health reasons during the year 1984, reducing the number of members to 19. Shortly after the 11th meeting, National Defence Minister Heinz Hoffmann passed away

Members of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party elected at the 8th meeting of the Central Committee after the X. Party Congress of the SED (24 May 1984)
Rank Name old PB NVR SC Birth PM Concurrent offices Notes
Chair Erich Honecker Chair Chair Chair 1912 1946
Member Army General
Willi Stoph 		Yes Yes Deputy

Chair

1914 1946
Member Egon Krenz Yes Yes Deputy

Chair

1937 1955 elected to National Defence Council in 1985
Member Horst Sindermann Yes Yes Deputy

Chair

1915 1946
Member Günter Mittag Yes Yes Deputy

Chair

1926 1946
Member Kurt Hager Yes Yes Yes 1912 1946
Member Alfred Neumann Yes Yes No 1909 1946
Member Werner Krolikowski Yes Yes No 1928 1946
Member Army General
Heinz Hoffmann 		Yes Yes No 1910 1946 died 2 December 1985
Member Army General
Erich Mielke 		Yes Yes No 1907 1946
Member Werner Felfe Yes Yes Yes 1928 1946
Member Harry Tisch Yes No Yes 1927 1946
Member Erich Mückenberger Yes No No 1910 1946
Member Hermann Axen Yes No No 1916 1946
Member Konrad Naumann Yes No Yes 1928 1946 expelled 22 November 1985
Member Joachim Herrmann Yes No No 1928 1948
Member Horst Dohlus Yes No No 1925 1946
Member Günter Schabowski Candidate No No 1929 1952
Member Werner Jarowinsky Candidate No No 1927 1946
Member Günther Kleiber Candidate No No 1931 1950
Member Herbert Häber No No No 1930 1946
  • Party offices
forced to resign 16 September 1985
expelled 22 November 1985
Candidate Margarete Müller Candidate No Yes 1931 1951 —
Candidate Ingeburg Lange Candidate No No 1927 1946
Candidate Gerhard Schürer Candidate No No 1921 1948
Candidate Werner Walde Candidate No No 1926 1946
Candidate Siegfried Lorenz No No No 1930 1946 co-opted 22 November 1985
Candidate Werner Eberlein No No No 1919 1948 co-opted 22 November 1985
Candidate Gerhard Müller No No No 1928 1946 co-opted 22 November 1985

April 1986–October 1989[edit]

The Politburo on 25 August 1987, on Honecker's birthday.

The XI. Party Congress in 1986 did not signal significant renewal in terms of personnel. Although new members were elected to fill the four vacant seats, younger individuals who could potentially represent reformist forces were not given a chance. While the appointment of new Defense Minister Heinz Keßler was unavoidable, the election of Bezirk Magdeburg First Secretary, 66-year-old Werner Eberlein, especially for himself, came as a surprise. The choices of the two men in their mid-fifties, SED Bezirk leaders Böhme and Lorenz, also did not necessarily indicate a clear rejuvenation of the Politburo leadership. Consequently, the average age of the 22 officials remained high at 63.6 years. Eight members were now 70 years old or older.

The XI. Party Congress solidified Egon Krenz's number two spot behind Honecker, him being elected to the State Council as Deputy Chair behind Honecker and still holding the powerful Security Affairs responsibility in particular.

A minor change occured in September 1988, when Secretary for Agriculture Werner Felfe died. Council of Ministers First Deputy Chairman Werner Krolikowski took his job, with Günther Kleiber becoming First Deputy Chairman and being elected to the National Defence Council.

Members of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party elected at the 1st meeting of the Central Committee after the XI. Party Congress of the SED (21 April 1986)
Rank Name old PB NVR SC Birth PM Concurrent offices Notes
Chair Erich Honecker Chair Chair Chair 1912 1946
Member Army General
Willi Stoph 		Yes Yes Deputy

Chair

1914 1946
Member Egon Krenz Yes Yes Deputy

Chair

1937 1955
Member Horst Sindermann Yes Yes Deputy

Chair

1915 1946
Member Günter Mittag Yes Yes Deputy

Chair

1926 1946
Member Kurt Hager Yes Yes Yes 1912 1946
Member Werner Krolikowski Yes Yes Yes 1928 1946 elected to State Council in 1988
Member Werner Felfe Yes Yes Yes 1928 1946 died 7 September 1988
Member Army General
Erich Mielke 		Yes Yes No 1907 1946
Member Alfred Neumann Yes Yes No 1909 1946
Member Günther Kleiber Yes Yes No 1931 1950 elected to National Defence Council in 1988
Member Army General
Heinz Keßler 		No Yes No 1910 1946
Member Harry Tisch Yes No Yes 1927 1946
Member Erich Mückenberger Yes No No 1910 1946
Member Hermann Axen Yes No No 1916 1946
Member Joachim Herrmann Yes No No 1928 1948
Member Horst Dohlus Yes No No 1925 1946
Member Günter Schabowski Yes No No 1929 1952
Member Werner Jarowinsky Yes No No 1927 1946
Member Siegfried Lorenz Candidate No No 1930 1946
Member Werner Eberlein Candidate No No 1919 1948
Member Hans-Joachim Böhme No No No 1929 1952
Candidate Margarete Müller Candidate No Yes 1931 1951 —
Candidate Ingeburg Lange Candidate No No 1927 1946
Candidate Gerhard Schürer Candidate No No 1921 1948
Candidate Werner Walde Candidate No No 1926 1946
Candidate Gerhard Müller Candidate No No 1928 1946

October–November 1989; Politburo after Honecker's deposition[edit]

By summer 1989, the GDR was on the brink of bankruptcy, with the foreign debt having spiraled out of control. A small opposition movement, spurred by documented electoral fraud in the May 1989 local elections, had formed that the ruling class was unable to deal with. Apart from mass demonstrations, there also was a mass exodus of GDR citizens through Hungary and the CSSR, them having openend their borders to West Germany. In addition, Honecker's health was failing and he became increasingly oblivious to the situation in the country. On 17 October 1989, Egon Krenz, Honecker's protégé and youngest Politburo member, deposed Honecker in the Politburo. Krenz had previously gotten the blessing of Mikhail Gorbachev, who Honecker had a contentious relationship with for the previous years, mirroring the situation Ulbricht had found himself in eighteen years prior. Honecker announced his resignation a day later in the Central Committee, citing his failing health, and proposed Krenz as his successor.

Economy Secretary Günter Mittag and media leader Joachim Herrmann were also removed alongside Honecker. Herrmann and Mittag in particular had made up Honecker's inner circle, though Mittag turned on Honecker when called upon, putting the blame for the country's economic situation soley on him.

Members of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party after Honecker's deposition
Rank Name NVR SC Birth PM Concurrent offices Notes
Chair Egon Krenz Chair Chair 1937 1955
Member Army General
Willi Stoph 		Yes Deputy

Chair

1914 1946
Member Horst Sindermann Yes Deputy

Chair

1915 1946
Member Kurt Hager Yes Yes 1912 1946
Member Werner Krolikowski Yes Yes 1928 1946
Member Army General
Erich Mielke 		Yes No 1907 1946
Member Alfred Neumann Yes No 1909 1946
Member Günther Kleiber Yes No 1931 1950
Member Army General
Heinz Keßler 		Yes No 1910 1946
Member Harry Tisch No Yes 1927 1946
Member Erich Mückenberger No No 1910 1946
Member Hermann Axen No No 1916 1946
Member Horst Dohlus No No 1925 1946
Member Günter Schabowski No No 1929 1952
Member Werner Jarowinsky No No 1927 1946
Member Siegfried Lorenz No No 1930 1946
Member Werner Eberlein No No 1919 1948
Member Hans-Joachim Böhme No No 1929 1952
Candidate Margarete Müller No Yes 1931 1951 —
Candidate Ingeburg Lange No No 1927 1946
Candidate Gerhard Schürer No No 1921 1948
Candidate Werner Walde No No 1926 1946
Candidate Gerhard Müller No No 1928 1946

November–December 1989[edit]

The second to last Central Committee meeting began a day after the closed resignation of the Council of Ministers. The Politburo members Horst Dohlus (64), Werner Krolikowski (61), Willi Stoph (75), Alfred Neumann (79), Erich Mückenberger (79), Hermann Axen (73), Kurt Hager (77), Horst Sindermann (74), Erich Mielke (82), Harry Tisch (62), and Günther Kleiber (58), with an average age of 71.3 years, resigned at the beginning of the meeting. The remaining 7 members stood for re-election and were elected, but during the Central Committee meeting, the deposed Halle party chief, Böhme, had to resign from his office. Similarly, elected candidate members Johannes Chemnitzer, Werner Walde (both also having lost their respective Bezirk First Secretary post) and Ingeburg Lange resigned before the end of the party conference. Newly elected to the Politburo as full members were Hans Modrow, the SED chief of Dresden and a hopeful figure, Krenz associate Wolfgang Herger, Wolfgang Rauchfuß, and, after sixteen years as candidate member, the already 68-year-old economic expert Gerhard Schürer. Schürer had been an early backer of deposing Honecker over his failed economic policies, having already urged Krenz to topple him in Febuary.

After Böhme's resignation, there were thus 10 full members remaining. Consequently, the average age of the new Politburo was 60.8 years.

The election of some reformers and retirement of most of the old guard did not convince the public and the Politburo contuined in quickly losing its authority. Acknowledging the political realities, the Politburo collectively resigned within less than a month, on 3 December 1989, during the 12th and final Central Committee meeting. Two days prior, the Volkskammer had removed the section in the GDR's constitution guaranteeing the SED's "leading role" (monopoly on political power).

Members of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party elected at the 10th meeting of the Central Committee after the XI. SED party conference (8 November 1989)
Rank Name old PB NVR SC Birth PM Concurrent offices Notes
Chair Egon Krenz Chair Chair Chair 1937 1955
Member Werner Eberlein Yes Yes No 1919 1946
Member Army General
Heinz Keßler 		Yes Yes No 1920 1946
Member Wolfgang Herger No Yes No 1935 1957
Member Günter Schabowski Yes No No 1929 1952
Member Siegfried Lorenz Yes No No 1930 1946
Member Hans-Joachim Böhme Yes No No 1929 1946 resigned 9 November
Member Werner Jarowinsky Yes No No 1927 1946
Member Gerhard Schürer Candidate No No 1921 1948
Member Hans Modrow No No No 1928 1949
Member Wolfgang Rauchfuß No No No 1931 1951
Candidate Margarete Müller Candidate No Yes 1931 1951 —
Candidate Ingeburg Lange Candidate No No 1927 1946 resigned 10 November
Candidate Werner Walde Candidate No No 1926 1946 resigned 9 November
Candidate Johannes Chemnitzer No No No 1929 1946 resigned 10 November
Candidate Hans-Joachim Willerding No No No 1952 1971
Candidate Günter Sieber No No No 1930 1948
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