On the map, Liberland is marked in green (indicated as Siga), and yellow marks the disputed territories between Croatia and Serbia
Terra nullius – "no man's land"
Where did a piece of ownerless land appear in densely populated Europe, and who is Vít Jedlička? Those who hear about Liberland for the first time are primarily interested in this.
It's all about territorial disputes between Serbia and Croatia. The Serbian side is sure that the border between the two states runs along the Danube River. In recent years, the Danube has somewhat changed its course, which in principle suits the Serbs because it expands their country's territory. However, the Croatian side considers the borders from the time when the Danube flowed in a different course to be correct and claims territories on the eastern bank of the river, which Serbia has declared its own.
Liberland (on existing official maps – Siga) is located on the western bank of the Danube, and according to the Croats, it belongs to the Serbs, and according to the Serbs, to the Croats. If either side recognizes Siga as its own, it will no longer be able to claim the remaining lands. Because then it would turn out that either the Serbs or the Croats have abandoned their concept of "correctness of borders." What has arisen is called terra nullius – "no man's land" in international law. A situation where a state has renounced rights to any territory.
Libertarians, but not anarchists
Vít Jedlička declared this territory the republic of Liberland. He represents the Party of Free Citizens. In the last parliamentary elections in the Czech Republic, the party got 2.46%, taking tenth place. Although, for instance, the party "Heads Up," supported by former president Václav Klaus, garnered only 0.42%. The Free Citizens did not enter parliament because they did not overcome the five percent barrier. But they received state financial support: such a rule applies to all parties that get more than 1.5% of the vote in elections. However, in the 2014 European Parliament elections, the party got 5.24% and, accordingly, one parliamentary seat.
Vít Jedlička is one of the leaders of this party. The Free Democrats are a right-wing conservative Eurosceptic party; in the European Parliament, its sole member belongs to the "Europe for Freedom and Democracy" group, headed by the controversial English politician, leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party, Nigel Farage.
In general, the Free Democrats are more like libertarians, proponents of liberal conservatism and minarchism, but in no way anarchists.
In terms of territory – larger than Monaco
President Vít Jedlička has already raised a flag in Liberland and sent notes to the governments of Croatia and Serbia. They do not know how to officially respond. Recognizing a new state is strange. Declaring terra nullius as their own land is impossible. So for now, the two countries of the former Yugoslavia remain silent. And the president of Liberland shares the plans of his state.
– How did you and your advisers manage to find this "no man's land"?
– It was relatively simple. My colleagues and I began to study the issue of where in the world there are territories that no state claims rights to. From several sources we learned that this particular land is free. Neither the Serbs nor the Croats claim it. They argue over other lands, and if they decide to claim this one, they will lose the opportunity to get the remaining territories that are more important to them.
– What is Liberland to you?
– Liberland is a country of freedom. It is a new tax haven, perhaps the largest of all existing in Europe. After all, we are even larger than Monaco in terms of territory, we have 6 square kilometers. Liberland is a country where we want to make taxes voluntary.
Without communists, neo-Nazis, and extremists
– What is currently on the territory of Liberland? Does anyone live there?
– There is one house there, which has been empty for thirty years. Before that, one family with two children lived there. Liberland is a country of forests, so many foresters work there, they take care of nature. They are Croats from nearby regions. We have already met them, told them that this is our land, but they can continue working there. And they promised to take care of our flag that we raised there, and later they will accept our citizenship.
– Who can become a citizen of the Republic of Liberland?
– We have very simple requirements. It is written on the internet as well. No communists, neo-Nazis, opponents of personal freedom, extremists. We do not need people who do not wish freedom for others, including for some religious beliefs. In general, we are tolerant of everyone. We just do not want people who do not support our project to move there, to our country.
10 million people can easily "fit" into the country
– And how can one obtain Liberland citizenship? And how many citizens can your republic physically accommodate?
– It's also simple here. For now, applications are accepted by email. But a special form is being created on the republic's website so that people can apply for citizenship online. Yesterday I received five and a half thousand emails, it's hard to process all of them. As for citizens... I think 10 million people can easily fit into these six square kilometers – that is if we build a couple of skyscrapers.
– Is the state language of the country Czech?
– English and Czech.
– Quite a few people have already transferred money to the accounts you created, and you also accept bitcoins. They make donations for the sake of the new republic. What will this money be used for, and is global advertising of Liberland part of your plans?
– We are planning a special tour of Croatia and Serbia. Its goal is to gain support from the local population, to familiarize people with our ideas. We will also build "mobile homes," and part of the money will go towards that. Although we already have investors who want to move to Liberland and start construction there. And spending money on advertising is the stupidest thing there is. Throwing money to the wind. We can afford PR, nothing more. So I hope that the main funds will go to diplomacy and everything related to it.
Many things will be allowed, but not everything is agreed upon
– Is work underway on the country's constitution and its basic laws?
– For us to become a full-fledged part of the international community, to be recognized, we need at least some minimum of laws. So they will exist. If we become part of the EU, then Brussels will immediately start telling us what minimum taxes should be in our country, which of course does not suit us. Therefore, all our taxes are voluntary; they are one way of financing the entire existence of our state.
– Your republic is a country of freedom. Will everything be allowed: same-sex marriage, drugs, euthanasia, carrying weapons?
– We would gladly allow all these things. However, that does not mean we agree with all these ideas. But it is a matter of time. Together with neighboring states, and partly under their pressure, we will have to fight some phenomena. I will tell you honestly, I personally do not want drug dealers to operate on the territory of Liberland. We will fight them. But it is preferable to get rid of drug dealers and drug addicts already when accepting citizenship applications, that is, at the first stage.
– Do you plan to create armed forces and police?
– We will not have an army. We are a peaceful state. We can negotiate coexistence with neighboring countries without having to fight them. For me, the ideal country in this regard is Costa Rica, which abolished its army long ago. Police – yes, but a small one. It will be funded through voluntary donations, or volunteers will serve in it.