[quote=Jannah]
Ah, I get you. That makes sense.
[/quote]

That way you don't have to use leaders you don't want (you don't have to use Honecker for example) but instead of inventing someone to take his place you research into real people who existed then and find which ones you think would be appropriate. That way we will avoid people just inventing the "perfect politician" who will avoid all the situations they don't want without any kind of limitations. if they want say, a moderate reformer they look up moderate reformers in their country...If they want a brutal dictator they look into for example, extremist faction leaders or whatever suits them. The point is they are looking into real people and not just making up their ideal person and it's still alt history.