Volkskammer

The Volkskammer was the parliament of East Germany, officially known as the German Democratic Republic (GDR), from 1949 until its dissolution in 1990. It was composed of elected representatives, but it largely functioned under the control of the ruling Socialist Unity Party. While it had the formal powers typical of a legislative body, decisions were often predetermined by the party, limiting its role as a true democratic institution. The Volkskammer's significance grew when it oversaw the reunification of Germany, marking the end of communist rule in East Germany.