FURTHER PROTESTS AND SUBSEQUENT REFORMS
In East Germany itself, the protests continued, although even the opposition was surprised by the suddenness of the changes taking place. Demonstrations continued in many cities around the country, in Leipzig (who was called the "hero of the revolution") have become a permanent element of the city's life. The public's dislike of Krenz and other members of the government associated with the old regime was still very strong. The great problem of Prime Minister Hans Modrow was the decline in the value of the East German mark. The black market exchange rate against the DM fell from 10 on 20 eastern brands too 1 DM. therefore maintaining the official exchange rate 1:1 it became practically impossible. The crisis was looming on the horizon.
The GDR authorities announced on the second weekend after the opening of the border crossings, that from 9 November was released 10 minimum exit visas - unbelievable statistics, if you consider the fact, that the total population of East Germany was 16 min. Now they all looked at the Brandenburg Gate, under which, while waiting for the opening ceremony, representatives of the Western media gathered. Their hopes were shattered 19 November with Krenz's statement. that the opening of the Brandenburg Gate has great symbolic significance, however, opening it is currently not considered. Therefore, the interest was directed to the Volkskammer. parliament NRD. who has just begun to remind himself and others of the role he should have had as a legislature. The "tame."” allied parties of the NSPJ.
A parliamentary legislative proposal to abolish the leadership role of the SED was passed (1 of December) just then . when the social hatred towards the Stasi swelled, it found an outlet in a series of demonstrations often ending in the demolition of seats and attacks on members. It only got a little calmer, when the government promised, that the dismantling of the hated secret police structures would begin immediately. In the first week of December, round table talks between the government and the opposition began, during which a new shape for the future GDR was to emerge.. The result of the negotiations was the consent to one of the opposition's basic governments, holding free elections 6 house 1990 - later they were postponed to a closer date 18 brand.
At the extraordinary convention of the NSPJ (15-17 of December), the party decided to follow the example of Hungarian communists and renamed itself PDS - Partei Democratische Sozialismus or "Party of Democratic Socialism”, which was probably supposed to be less deterrent to future voters. As one of the last representatives of the old guard, Egon Krenz was relegated to the political history. He was succeeded by Gregor Gysi. an almost unknown lawyer until now - a defender of political dissidents in the times of the former regime. Almost immediately Gysi and Modrow had to take a stance on Chancellor Kohl's new initiative. which 19 December, he visited Dresden. The chancellor aroused the enthusiasm of the crowd, when he addressed the audience with the words "dear fellow countrymen”; Kohl also promised not to abandon his compatriots in need and declared the unification of Germany the overriding goal
Hans Modrow seized the opportunity of Kohl's visit to re-open the Brandenburg Gate. Initially, it was to be open only to pedestrian traffic, with one lane in each direction. It was announced almost simultaneously. that the end of the compulsory currency exchange for German citizens visiting the GDR will take place earlier than previously planned. By the end of the year, there were also further signs of the two parts of Berlin coming closer. Numerous economic ventures began to be considered together, industrial and cultural, and the metro stations in West Berlin appeared on the plans of East Berlin (previously shown as white spots on maps).