[1][2] He was considered particularly loyal to the GDR's authorities and was cited by Stasi officers as an example of seamless cooperation with the state.

While peace prayers were held in other churches in the city from 1982, the Thomaskirche remained closed to the protest movement until 9 October 1989.

[1] Encouraged by Christian Führer to show solidarity with other pastors, he tried to prevent the upcoming Monday prayer service in early October 1989.

[4] During the peaceful revolution in the GDR, he, along with Peter-Michael Diestel, co-founded the Christian-Social Party of Germany (CSPD) in December 1989.

In the de Maizière government, Ebeling served as Minister for Economic Cooperation from April to October.

[3] Feeling the representative role would fit him best, Ebeling initially wanted to become President of East Germany,[3][7] but de Maizière adamantly refused.