GERMANY. Berlin. Throughout East Germany, tens of thousands of East Germans resumed marches, demanding free speech, free elections, and the abolition of the Communist Party's leading role in society. Many of the protesters denounced Egon Krenz, the leader of the Communist Party, as unfit to steer the country toward a more liberal and open society. In East Berlin the protesters marched to the parliament, waving placards that called for free elections and the abolition of repressive security. The Communist leaders feared that the abandonment of socialist principles would quickly lead to the absorption of the country into West Germany.