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Party leader faces ruin over Stasi spy claims

One of Germany's best-known politicians was under mounting pressure to resign yesterday amid new allegations that he worked as an informer for East Berlin's infamous Stasi secret police.

Gregor Gysi, who worked as a lawyer in the former Communist East, has been an MP since the country's reunification in 1990 – first for the left-wing Party for Democratic Socialism and more recently as co-leader of the new Left party.

Yesterday, the 60-year-old faced demands for his resignation from MPs in mainstream parties, following the release of evidence which suggests he informed on East German dissident clients for the Stasi. The German parliament is considering opening a formal investigation into the claims. Mr Gysi has consistently rejected accusations that he spied for the secret police.
Read entire article at Independent (UK)