governmentinexile

Government in exile refers to a national government that operates from outside its own territory, asserting the continuity of the state and the legitimacy of its governing institutions despite losing control of the homeland. Such governments typically arise after invasion, occupation, or internal upheaval and seek international recognition, diplomatic support, and coordination with diaspora communities to sustain political influence and the possibility of return.

Exiled governments usually maintain a cabinet, ministries, and often a legislative body in exile, along with diplomatic missions in other countries. Their authority is de jure rather than de facto; they do not control significant territory, but they strive to preserve continuity of state institutions and to preserve the legal framework of the government. Recognition by foreign states and participation in international forums varies considerably by case.

Historically, notable exiled governments included the Polish government in exile in London, the Free French government led by Charles de Gaulle, and the governments of the Netherlands, Norway, Greece, and Czechoslovakia that operated from abroad during World War II. The Tibetan Government-in-Exile has been based in Dharamsala since 1959. Other movements have claimed the status of a government in exile while seeking to overturn occupation or topple a domestic regime.

Today, governments in exile are relatively rare as bodies with broad international recognition and executive power. They more often function as political symbols, diplomatic actors, or coordinators for resistance and diaspora activities, while enduring debates over legitimacy, sovereignty, and the rights of the occupant state to govern across international borders.