Introduction to the Free Republic of Verdis
A man has declared himself the president of a self-proclaimed country, which is embedded in a controversial property between Croatia and Serbia. The country, known as the Free Republic of Verdis, comes with a flag, a cabinet, a currency, and almost 400 citizens.
Founding of the Free Republic of Verdis
The Free Republic of Verdis was founded by Daniel Jackson, a 20-year-old British man. Jackson discovered that the area was not claimed by both neighboring countries due to a continuing border dispute. He officially declared the independence of the republic on May 30, 2019. The area, known as "Bag Three," has since been recognized as the second-smallest country in the world, directly behind the Vatican City.
Government and Infrastructure
The digital designer, who creates virtual worlds on Roblox, began designing Verdis into a functioning government when he was only 18 years old. The official languages of Verdis are English, Croatian, and Serbian, and the nation uses the euro as a currency. Every person who becomes a citizen of Verdis receives a passport, although Jackson warned people not to use it for actual international trips. The country has a government and a cabinet, and Jackson is currently operating a "government in exile."
Challenges and Controversies
Despite the increasing setbacks, Jackson remains optimistic about the future of Verdis. The Croatian police and Jackson himself have arrested several settlers, and Jackson has been banned from entering the country. He accused the Croatian authorities of installing surveillance along the coast of his country to block access from Serbia. Jackson is now often traveling to Belgrade, Serbia, where he says that the officials were more receptive.
Citizenship and Requirements
Verdis started with only four people but now claims over 400 official citizens from a pool of more than 15,000 applicants. The country is very selective about who it lets in, and Jackson said that they are looking for people with sought-after skills such as experience in medicine or police work. Every person who applies for citizenship is carefully vetted, and not everyone is accepted.
Future Plans and Aspirations
Jackson hopes to live in Verdis one day and has said that if he is successful, he would step down from his position and call a election. He is not interested in power and just wants to be a normal citizen. Despite the challenges and controversies, Jackson remains committed to making Verdis a reality. He believes that the country has a good chance of succeeding and is determined to make it more than just a thought experiment.
