Willi Stoph

Willi (Wilhelm) Stoph (9 July 1914 – 13 April 1999) was an East German politician and longtime member of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED). A close associate of Walter Ulbricht and later Erich Honecker, he held several of the highest offices in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). Stoph served as Chairman of the Council of Ministers from 1964 to 1973 and again from 1976 to 1989, and as Chairman of the State Council from 1973 to 1976. During his tenure, he played a key role in enforcing SED policies, including political repression, restrictions on civil liberties, and the militarization of the East German state. Provided by Wikipedia