AHC/WI: East Germany became the North Korea of Europe?

[Deleted member 97083]

What if East Germany became the North Korea of Europe?

That is, what if they were ruled by a political dynasty of "supreme leaders", the latter of which seek to create their own nuclear program? The DDR survives years after the fall of the USSR, clinging to its territory at all costs against unification with West Germany, and becomes a pariah state like the DPRK.

 

[Obergruppenführer Smith]

Given how the Soviets had their jackboots on DDR's neck the whole time?

 

[Monter]

North Korea only survives because it has the PRC as a patron and protector, who'll defend the DDR from getting unilaterally annexed by the West (or collapsing from within)?

 

[TauranCollective]

Honestly, Romania or Albania are a better contender for this. The GDR were the least independent from the Soviets of the entire Warsaw Pact.

Actually, in terms of cult of personality and willingness to stray from Marxist-Leninist orthodoxy to strengthen the country's elite, you could make an argument that the OTL Romania was the North Korea of Europe.

 

[Deleted member 97083]

The GDR were the least independent from the Soviets of the entire Warsaw Pact.

Well, how that be reversed?

Perhaps if the Soviets successfully liberalized in the 80s and loosened their control over the Warsaw Pact, but survived?