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Government in exile

A government in exile is a political group that claims to be a country's legitimate government, but for various reasons is unable to exercise its legal power, and instead resides in a foreign country. Governments in exile usually operate under the assumption that they will one day return to their native country and regain power.

Governments in exile frequently occur during wartime occupation. For example, during the German expansion of the Second World War, numerous European governments and monarchs were forced to seek refuge in England, rather than face certain destruction at the hands of the Nazis.

Currently, there are few governments in exile. They include:

Most are not widely recognized.

World War II

Many countries established a government in exile after loss of sovereignty in connection with World War II:

Notable examples of occupied countries which retained partial sovereignty through their overseas territories included Belgium, Vichy France and Free France.

The Danish exception

Denmark's occupation (9 April, 1940) was administered by Auswärtiges Amt, contrary to other occupied lands that were under military administration. Denmark did not establish a government in exile. The King and his government remained in Denmark, and functioned comparably independently for the first three years of German occupation. Meanwhile, Iceland was occupied by the Allies, and effectively separated from the Danish crown.

Last updated: 08-13-2005 00:47:34
Last updated: 09-12-2005 02:39:13