Council of Ministers of East Germany

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Government of the Republic
Regierung der Republik (German)
Emblem
Overview
Established	8 November 1950
Dissolved	2 October 1990
State	German Democratic Republic
Leader	Chairman (styled Minister President in 1949 Constitution)
Appointed by	Volkskammer
Main organ	Council of Ministers
Ministries	see below
Headquarters	Altes Stadthaus, Berlin

The Council of Ministers (German: Ministerrat der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik) was the cabinet and executive branch of the German Democratic Republic from November 1950 until the country was reunified on 3 October 1990.^[1] Originally formed as a body of 18 members, by 1989 the council consisted of 44 members.

Under the Constitution of East Germany, the Council of Ministers was formally defined as the government of East Germany. The same Constitution, however, officially confirmed the leading role of the Socialist Unity Party (SED). Hence, for most of the GDR's existence, the Council of Ministers was not the highest authority in the country, but was charged with implementing the SED's policies into practical administration. In particular, ministers were subordinate to the secretary of the Central Committee responsible for their portfolio, and, at least unofficially, to the General Secretary.