Kommissarische Reichsregierung
Encyclopedia
Kommissarische Reichsregierung (KRR, Provisional Imperial Government) is a label for multiple groups and individuals in Germany and elsewhere who assert that the German Reich (or, occasionally, Prussia
) continues to exist in its pre-World War II borders
and that they are its government or government in exile
.
The KRRs often operate on the basis of conspiracy theories according to which the collapse of the current German state, the Federal Republic of Germany, is imminent, clearing the way for the Reich's reestablishment.
remains in effect. Most of their arguments are based on a selective reading of a 1973 decision of the Federal Constitutional Court
, which held that the Grundgesetz assumes that the Reich, as a subject of international law, survived the collapse of Nazi Germany
, but is incapable of acting as a state because it lacks any organization, such as governmental authorities. The KRRs do not, however, cite the Court's further holding that the Federal Republic is not a successor state to the Reich, but, as a state, at that time partially, and today—since 1990—fully identical to it.
. Ebel, who appointed himself Reich Chancellor, claimed to be acting on the authority of the occupation authorities
. Some of the members of his "cabinet" later fell out with Ebel and established provisional governments of their own with names such as Exilregierung Deutsches Reich or Deutsches Reich AG (the latter being based in Nevada
, USA).
As of 2009, there is no reliable count of the number of KRRs currently existing, but the KRR FAQ, an online registry maintained by a German jurist, lists some 60 persons or organizations associated with operating competing KRRs.
or of earlier German states.
Some KRRs are ready to issue, for a fee, "official" documents such as building permits, driving licences etc., which their adherents or gullible citizens may attempt to use in everyday life. In one instance, Wolfgang Ebel's KRR issued an "excavation permit" to the Principality of Sealand
(a micronation
), who then had men dig up a plot of land in the Harz
region in search of the Amber Room
for two weeks, until the landowner hired a private security service to drive them off. Similarly, in 2002 Ebel's KRR "sold" the Hakeburg, a building in Kleinmachnow
south of Berlin formerly owned by the German Reichspost
(and therefore, according to Ebel, by his KRR) to one of the two competing governments of Sealand, thus creating, in their view, an enclave of Sealand in Germany.
KRR adherents have also on occasion refused to pay taxes or fines, arguing that the laws providing for such sanctions have no constitutional basis. In the ensuing judicial proceedings, they refuse to recognize the courts as legitimate. Some also pursue their activities abroad: In 2009, after Swiss authorities refused to recognize the "Reich Driving Licence" of a German KRR adherent, he unsuccessfully appealed the case up to the Swiss Federal Supreme Court.
Wolfgang Ebel's original organization, in particular, continues to attempt enforcing its asserted authority through attempts at intimidation. According to Ebel, his "government" has issued more than 1,000 "arrest warrants" against people who have disregarded documents issued by the KRR. These warrants inform the addressee that, once the Reich Government is in power, they will be tried for high treason
, for which the penalty is death. Ebel has also admitted owning a "government helicopter" painted in the national colours
, but has denied using it for intimidating fly-overs. Multiple attempts to prosecute Ebel for threats, impersonating a public servant and so forth have failed because, according to German prosecutors, all courts have found him to be legally insane.
Several (though by no means all) KRRs have links to far right
extremist or Neo-Nazi groups, and are under observation by the Verfassungsschutz authorities.
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
) continues to exist in its pre-World War II borders
Territorial changes of Germany
The territorial changes of Germany refer to the changes in the borders and territory of Germany from its formation in 1871 to the present. Modern Germany was formed in 1871 when Otto von Bismarck unified most of the German-speaking states into the German Empire...
and that they are its government or government in exile
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...
.
The KRRs often operate on the basis of conspiracy theories according to which the collapse of the current German state, the Federal Republic of Germany, is imminent, clearing the way for the Reich's reestablishment.
Arguments
The KRRs maintain that the Federal Republic of Germany is illegitimate and that the Reich's 1919 Weimar ConstitutionWeimar constitution
The Constitution of the German Reich , usually known as the Weimar Constitution was the constitution that governed Germany during the Weimar Republic...
remains in effect. Most of their arguments are based on a selective reading of a 1973 decision of the Federal Constitutional Court
Federal Constitutional Court of Germany
The Federal Constitutional Court is a special court established by the Grundgesetz, the German basic law...
, which held that the Grundgesetz assumes that the Reich, as a subject of international law, survived the collapse of Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
, but is incapable of acting as a state because it lacks any organization, such as governmental authorities. The KRRs do not, however, cite the Court's further holding that the Federal Republic is not a successor state to the Reich, but, as a state, at that time partially, and today—since 1990—fully identical to it.
History
The original Kommissarische Reichsregierung was founded by Wolfgang Gerhard Guenter Ebel, a former Reichsbahn traffic superintendent, in 1985 in West BerlinWest Berlin
West Berlin was a political exclave that existed between 1949 and 1990. It comprised the western regions of Berlin, which were bordered by East Berlin and parts of East Germany. West Berlin consisted of the American, British, and French occupation sectors, which had been established in 1945...
. Ebel, who appointed himself Reich Chancellor, claimed to be acting on the authority of the occupation authorities
Allied Occupation Zones in Germany
The Allied powers who defeated Nazi Germany in World War II divided the country west of the Oder-Neisse line into four occupation zones for administrative purposes during 1945–49. In the closing weeks of fighting in Europe, US forces had pushed beyond the previously agreed boundaries for the...
. Some of the members of his "cabinet" later fell out with Ebel and established provisional governments of their own with names such as Exilregierung Deutsches Reich or Deutsches Reich AG (the latter being based in Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
, USA).
As of 2009, there is no reliable count of the number of KRRs currently existing, but the KRR FAQ, an online registry maintained by a German jurist, lists some 60 persons or organizations associated with operating competing KRRs.
Activities
KRRs engage in activities such as issuing currency and stamps, as well as promoting themselves through the Internet and other media. Where the number of their adherents allows, they also emulate the "re-established" institutions, such as courts or parliaments, of the Weimar RepublicWeimar Republic
The Weimar Republic is the name given by historians to the parliamentary republic established in 1919 in Germany to replace the imperial form of government...
or of earlier German states.
Some KRRs are ready to issue, for a fee, "official" documents such as building permits, driving licences etc., which their adherents or gullible citizens may attempt to use in everyday life. In one instance, Wolfgang Ebel's KRR issued an "excavation permit" to the Principality of Sealand
Principality of Sealand
The Principality of Sealand is an unrecognized entity, located on HM Fort Roughs, a former World War II Maunsell Sea Fort in the North Sea 10 km off the coast of Suffolk, England, United Kingdom ....
(a micronation
Micronation
Micronations, sometimes also referred to as model countries and new country projects, are entities that claim to be independent nations or states but which are not recognized by world governments or major international organizations...
), who then had men dig up a plot of land in the Harz
Harz
The Harz is the highest mountain range in northern Germany and its rugged terrain extends across parts of Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. The name Harz derives from the Middle High German word Hardt or Hart , latinized as Hercynia. The legendary Brocken is the highest summit in the Harz...
region in search of the Amber Room
Amber Room
The Amber Room in the Catherine Palace of Tsarskoye Selo near Saint Petersburg is a complete chamber decoration of amber panels backed with gold leaf and mirrors...
for two weeks, until the landowner hired a private security service to drive them off. Similarly, in 2002 Ebel's KRR "sold" the Hakeburg, a building in Kleinmachnow
Kleinmachnow
Kleinmachnow is a municipality in the Potsdam-Mittelmark district, in Brandenburg, Germany.-Geography:It is situated southwest of the centre of Berlin, immediately neighbouring the borough of Steglitz-Zehlendorf, and east of Potsdam...
south of Berlin formerly owned by the German Reichspost
Reichspost
- Imperial Reichspost :* The Imperial Reichspost was the name of the postal service of the Holy Roman Empire, founded by Franz von Taxis in 1495...
(and therefore, according to Ebel, by his KRR) to one of the two competing governments of Sealand, thus creating, in their view, an enclave of Sealand in Germany.
KRR adherents have also on occasion refused to pay taxes or fines, arguing that the laws providing for such sanctions have no constitutional basis. In the ensuing judicial proceedings, they refuse to recognize the courts as legitimate. Some also pursue their activities abroad: In 2009, after Swiss authorities refused to recognize the "Reich Driving Licence" of a German KRR adherent, he unsuccessfully appealed the case up to the Swiss Federal Supreme Court.
Wolfgang Ebel's original organization, in particular, continues to attempt enforcing its asserted authority through attempts at intimidation. According to Ebel, his "government" has issued more than 1,000 "arrest warrants" against people who have disregarded documents issued by the KRR. These warrants inform the addressee that, once the Reich Government is in power, they will be tried for high treason
High treason
High treason is criminal disloyalty to one's government. Participating in a war against one's native country, attempting to overthrow its government, spying on its military, its diplomats, or its secret services for a hostile and foreign power, or attempting to kill its head of state are perhaps...
, for which the penalty is death. Ebel has also admitted owning a "government helicopter" painted in the national colours
National colours of Germany
The national colors of Germany are officially Black, Red and Gold as seen on the flag of Germany of 1849-1852, 1919–1933, and again since 1949. The colors were used by democratic revolutionaries in the early 19th century, and had been used by the Holy Roman Empire since the Middle Ages...
, but has denied using it for intimidating fly-overs. Multiple attempts to prosecute Ebel for threats, impersonating a public servant and so forth have failed because, according to German prosecutors, all courts have found him to be legally insane.
Several (though by no means all) KRRs have links to far right
Far right
Far-right, extreme right, hard right, radical right, and ultra-right are terms used to discuss the qualitative or quantitative position a group or person occupies within right-wing politics. Far-right politics may involve anti-immigration and anti-integration stances towards groups that are...
extremist or Neo-Nazi groups, and are under observation by the Verfassungsschutz authorities.
List of KRRs
The following is a non-exhaustive list of KRRs that have received recent media coverage.- Fürstentum Germania, based in a palace in Krampfer (PlattenburgPlattenburgPlattenburg is a municipality in the Prignitz district, in Brandenburg, Germany....
), established 2009, claims 300 adherents. - Interim Partei – Das Reicht
- Zentralrat Souveräner Bürger, based in an inn in SchwanstettenSchwanstettenSchwanstetten is a municipality in the district of Roth, in Bavaria, Germany. Schwanstetten is located 15 km south of Nuremberg. Population is about 7,500 Schwanstetten is a municipality in the district of Roth, in Bavaria, Germany. Schwanstetten is located 15 km south of Nuremberg....