Nevertheless, the circulation was 15,000 (in 1989), with just a fraction (around 4,000) of this actually sold in West Berlin, as most of the papers were simply distributed free of charge to socialist countries.

After Danelius died and was replaced by Horst Schmitt (in 1978), the new leader attached the party even closer to the SED.

"[3] Gorbachev's rise to power in the Soviet Union and the consequent reform policies of perestroika and glasnost affected the German Marxist–Leninist organizations.

In the SEW, a rift developed between more liberal individual members, who appreciated Gorbachev's policies as a chance to revive leftist movements in Europe on one hand, and the leadership that chose to ignore the reforms in the USSR, as did their mentors in East Germany.

[4] Most of the activists who wished to stay involved in politics joined the Party of Democratic Socialism.