Reichsstatthalter#

Reichsstatthalter: 1) From March 15, 1938 what had until then been called the Austrian Federal Government was known as the "Oesterreichische Landesregierung", the Federal Chancellor (A. Seyss-Inquart) was given the title of "Reichsstatthalter". His function ended on May 1, 1939 when the "Ostmarkgesetz" ( Anschluss) came into force; J. Buerckel was appointed "Reichskommissar fuer die Wiedervereinigung Oesterreichs mit dem Deutschen Reich" (Reich commissioner for the re-unification of Austria with the German Reich) and became his superior.

2) From May 1, 1939 term used for the head of the national administration of a Reichsgau, directly subordinate to the minister for the interior. He was at the same time gauleiter of the NSDAP and had absolute power in his gau. The Reichsstatthalter were appointed on the basis of the "Gesetz ueber den Aufbau der Verwaltung in der Ostmark" (Ostmark Administration Act; also called Ostmarkgesetz) of April 14, 1939, effective from May 1, 1939.

Literature#