Nobody lives in the nascent nation called the Free Republic of Liberland, but a lack of people there doesn’t mean that power skirmishes and land grabs can’t still happen.
In fact, Liberland’s fragile peace could be the hardest in the world to keep, now that the new country’s founding father and current head of state is already facing a serious challenge to his dominion.
Barely in his thirties, libertarian activist Vit Jedlička claimed and named his new country in April 2015, after his search for uncharted territories revealed that a choice piece of forested land sitting on the Danube between Croatia and Serbia no longer belongs to anyone.
Even better, neither the Croatians nor the Serbians really want it either, as they are presently locked in a bitter dispute over a much larger -- and evidently more strategically important -- parcel close by.
However, two countries' garbage has clearly become two men’s treasure, since it wasn’t long after the original founder of #Liberland unfurled his flag this year that those colors were called into question by another would-be king.
Now, both #Jedlička and his slippery opponent are vying for sole control of the 3-square-acre plot that boasts lush woodlands and fantastic river views, but which, so far, has only one rutted dirt road leading nowhere, a solitary shack abandoned decades ago by its unknown owner, and no permanent occupants whatsoever.
Their bickering may all be for naught though, because, largely due to the fact that the Free Republic of Liberland is uninhabited, it’s not officially recognized as an independent country by any other legitimate nation.
That diplomatic impasse could be easily resolved, however, insists Liberland’s Czech-born and thus far un-toppled tyrant, Vit Jedlička.
In addition to maintaining the fragile peace, he’s also actively considering applications for citizenry in Liberland from anyone anywhere in the world able to prove they have no criminal past. With the exception, he notes, that candidates with neo-nazi, communist or extremist leanings NEED NOT APPLY.
