German Council of State (Staatsrat der DDR)

The German Council of State (Staatsrat der DDR) was the collective head of state of East Germany (GDR) from 1960 to 1990. It was responsible for representing the government internationally, issuing laws and decrees when the parliament was not in session, and carrying out ceremonial duties. The council was elected by the Volkskammer (parliament) and served as a symbol of state continuity, but real power was concentrated in the ruling Socialist Unity Party. The Staatsrat played a key role in the governance structure of East Germany until reunification in 1990.