Mitte in Leipzig, Saxony, Germany — Central Europe
Gefälschte Kommunalwahl -Kontrolle und Proteste
Orte der Friedlichen Revolution
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Rigged local elections control and protests
Sites of the Peaceful Revolution
| — | '89 | — |
Photographed by James Hulse, March 11, 2026
1. Gefälschte Kommunalwahl -Kontrolle und Proteste / Rigged local elections control and protests Marker
7. Μai 1989
Am 7. Mai 1989 fand die von der SED mit großem agitatorischem Aufwand vorbereitete Kommunalwahl statt. Den reibungslosen Ablauf dieser Scheinwahl versuchte die Staatssicherheit mit der Aktion „Symbol“ abzusichern.
Auf Flugblättern hatten Leipziger Bürgerrechtler alle Nichtwähler aufgerufen, ihre Wahlberechtigungsscheine demonstrativ in einer Urne auf dem Markt zu sammeln. Volkspolizei und Stasi verhafteten am Wahltag 76 Personen und verhörten sie bis in die frühen Morgenstunden.
Verschiedene Oppositionsgruppen organisierten, wie in vielen anderen Städten, auch in Leipzig eine Kontrolle der Stimmenauszählung. Im Abgleich mit den veröffentlichten Ergebnissen gelang es erstmals, den von der SED organisierten Wahlbetrug nachzuweisen - in der Stadt Leipzig hatten „nur“ 90,16% statt der offiziell verkündeten 96,86 % für den Wahlvorschlag gestimmt.
Alle Einsprüche gegen das Wahlergebnis und Strafanzeigen liefen ins Leere. Auch für viele bis dahin systemloyale DDR-Bürger brach die Illusion vom „Rechtsstaat DDR“ zusammen.
Foto: Fotograf unbekannt (MRE)
May 7, 1989
On May 7, 1989, local elections took place which had been prepared by the SED with great agitation. The State Security attempted to protect the smooth running of this sham election with its operation "Symbol".
On flyers Leipzig civil rights activists had pointedly called on all non-voters to collect their electoral registration cards in an urn at the market. The Volkspolizei and Stasi arrested 76 people on the election day and interrogated them until the early hours of the morning.
Various opposition groups, in many other cities as well as in Leipzig, organized a check of the vote count. In comparison with the published results, this control demonstrated for the first time the fraud organized by the SED - in the city of Leipzig "only" 90.16% instead of the officially announced 96.86% had voted for the nominated candidates.
All protests against the election results and criminal charges were deemed irrelevant. Even for many loyal citizens of the GDR system this broke the illusion of the GDR being a "constitutional state of law".
photo: Unknown photographer (MRE)
Erected by Stadt
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Wars, Non-US. A significant historical date for this entry is May 7, 1989.
Location. 51° 20.423′ N, 12° 22.453′ E. Marker is in Leipzig, Sachsen (Saxony). It is in Mitte. It is on Markt just north of Thomasgasse, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Markt 12, Leipzig SN 04109, Germany. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Victor von Prendel (within shouting distance of this marker); Historische Ereignisse auf dem Marktplatz in Leipzig / Historic Events on Leipzig's Market Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Straßenmusikfestival für die Freiheit der Kunst / Street music festival for the freedom of art (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Leipzig im Schnittpunkt alter Handelsstraßen / Leipzig: Intersection of Ancient Trade Routes (about 90 meters away); Hôtel de Saxe (about 90 meters away); Altes Rathaus / Old City Hall (about 90 meters away); a different marker also named Hôtel de Saxe (about 90 meters away); Dr. Hermann Hartmann (about 90 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leipzig.
Also see . . . Monday demonstrations in East Germany. Wikipedia
The Monday demonstrations (German: Montagsdemonstrationen in der DDR) were a series of peaceful(Submitted on June 14, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)political protests against the government of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). The demonstrations began in Leipzig on 4 September 1989, starting the Peaceful Revolution in the GDR: the fall of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of the government, and German reunification.Photographed by James Hulse, March 11, 20262. Gefälschte Kommunalwahl -Kontrolle und Proteste / Rigged local elections control and protests MarkerCloseup of the marker and photo.
Photographed by James Hulse, March 11, 2026
3. Gefälschte Kommunalwahl -Kontrolle und Proteste / Rigged local elections control and protests Marker
The marker stands to the left of the entrance to the Marktgalerie on Marktplatz.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 14, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
