Chapter 4 The Limits of Nazification

Abstract

In the ‘prefectoral system’ in Nord/Pas-de-Calais, the pragmatic marriage of reason between the prefects and the German occupier recognised the importance of a mayor’s legitimacy to maintain local stability and social peace. In the Netherlands and especially in Belgium (or rather Flanders), collaborationist parties did take over large parts of the mayoralty. When they did, these collaborationist parties proved to be their own worst enemies. They had to deal with a shortage of able administrators, increasing internal competition and an inability to do anything significant with local government once they obtained mayoral positions. For each of these parties, the triumphant vision of totalitarian power of 1940 had clashed with the hard realities of local government under occupation by 1943.