The Hartz IV reform replaced unemployment assistance with a new benefit, Arbeitslosengeld II. In Leipzig, people began to demonstrate against it on Mondays, and from 29 March 2004 they did so every week and in greater numbers. The name recalled the Monday demonstrations of 1989. Joachim Gauck called the name foolish and forgetful of history. At the peak, on 30 August 2004, at least 200,000 people demonstrated in more than 200 cities. The anger at the reforms also produced a new political force. The association Electoral Alternative for Work and Social Justice, WASG, was founded on 3 July 2004. It became a party in January 2005 and merged with the PDS in 2007 to form Die Linke.