In theory, a "Gauleiter" merely functioned as a representative of the Nazi Party who served to coordinate regional Nazi Party events and also served to "advise" the local government. In practice, each "Gauleiter" had unquestioned authority in his particular area of responsibility. The legal governmental establishment merely existed as a rubber stamp for the "Gauleiter". Party control over the civil administration became institutionalized, as in many (but not all) cases the "Gauleiter" also held the supreme civil administrative post in his area. This could be as "Reichsstatthalter" in the states (Länder) or as "Oberpräsident" in the Prussian provinces. The "Gauleiters" of all "Reichsgaue" and of 11 "Gaue" in Germany proper also served as "Reichsstatthalters". However, since Party "Gau" boundaries and provincial/state boundaries did not necessarily coincide, this arrangement sometimes led to mutually overlapping jurisdictions and added to the administrative chaos typical of Nazi Germany.