The President of the German Democratic Republic (German: Präsident der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik) was the head of state of the German Democratic Republic, commonly known as East Germany, from 1949 until 1960. The office was created by the Constitution of 1949 (Section V) with the President of the Republic was elected by the People's Chamber (Volkskammer) and the Chamber of States (Länderkammer). The office was mostly ceremonial in nature and, if necessary, the President of the People's Chamber acted as the President.
Wilhelm Pieck of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) was the sole incumbent as President of the German Democratic Republic, elected on 11 October 1949 and re-elected in 1953 and in 1957. On 7 September 1960, shortly after the death of Pieck, the Constitution was amended which abolished the office of President. The Law concerning the formation of the State Council of 12 September 1960 introduced the State Council of East Germany, a collective head of state, instead of the presidency. The State Council was abolished during Die Wende of East Germany in 1989/90, with the President of the People's Chamber Sabine Bergmann-Pohl acted as interim head of state.
