Not taking side on the topic here, just a quick note on the dicatorship classification.

While some folks think a dictatorship requires a single person or small group in charge, it is widespread opinion in Germany, that the GDR was is in fact seen as a "dicatorship by one party", the SED. Mostly (to my understanding) this is based on the lack of separation of powers found in the GDR.

The "dictatorship" question is regulary a topic of more or less philosophical but most certainly emotional debates with each side being sure they are right. I cannot tell the percentage of "dictatorship"/"non-dicatorship" proponents.

(I am no history nerd.)

edit: pls replace "that the GDR was is in fact seen" with "that the GDR is in fact seen" in your mind