Simplify the following text for a Grade 9 native English-speaking person.
Original: The longtime leader of East Germany , Erich Honecker , resigned on 18 October 1989 and was replaced by Egon Krenz a few days later .
Simplified: In October 1989 mass demonstrations against the government in East Germany began . The long-time leader , Erich Honecker , resigned and was replaced by Egon Krenz a few days later .