A rival government is a political group that claims to be the legitimate government (exclusive mandate) of a sovereign state in opposition to another independent government. Such governments tend to be formed in the aftermath of a civil war, revolution, or military coup. They differ from a government in exile as they are based in, and have control over territory within the claimed state.

These are rival governments which were established simultaneously in the Soviet and Western occupation zones and claim sole jurisdiction over their respective region but both are recognised by the international community.