Joachim Herrmann

Joachim "Achim" Despite this, when Häber faced an intrigue directed against him and his political objectives, Herrmann abandoned him. The State Secretariat was abolished in July 1971, as part of new SED leader Erich Honecker's policy of distancing from German reunification.

Herrmann has been described as the "polar opposite" of his predecessor Lamberz. Whereas Lamberz was seen as open-minded and cosmopolitan, Herrmann was regarded as self-opinionated and authoritarian, with a chaotic style of work. Herrmann was insensate in dealing with artists and clueless about new media beyond his scope as former newspaper editor such as television.

Peaceful Revolution On 18 October 1989, a group of Politburo members led by Egon Krenz deposed of Erich Honecker. Due to their close relation to Honecker, Herrmann and Economics czar Günter Mittag were also removed. Günter Schabowski, his former deputy and successor as editor-in-chief of Neues Deutschland, succeeded him as Agitation Secretary. Herrmann did not protest, taking on the responsibility for the negative developments in the media. the Patriotic Order of Merit in 1970, and the Order of Karl Marx in 1978 and 1988.