Young Australian Proclaims Presidency of Self-Styled European Nation
A 21-year-old Australian has boldly declared himself president of a self-proclaimed country in Europe, establishing a government, issuing official passports, and attracting hundreds of recognized citizens—all without exercising any actual control over the territory he claims. Daniel Jackson identified a narrow forested strip along the Danube River border between Croatia and Serbia back in 2017, asserting that the dissolution of Yugoslavia created an opportunity for his ambitious project as the land remained unclaimed and uninhabited.
The Birth of Verdis on Disputed Territory
Jackson believed the legal status of the land permitted the formation of a new nation, which he subsequently named the Free Republic of Verdis, derived from the Latin word viridis meaning green, to emphasize its environmental focus. Born in Upper Ferntree Gully, Melbourne, and raised between Australia and the United Kingdom, Jackson ascended to the presidency of this venture in 2019, making him one of the youngest political leaders of any self-declared state worldwide.
"I didn't entirely agree with the views of similar projects, so I started looking into whether there was any unclaimed land," Jackson explained to 7NEWS.com.au. "I managed to find what is now Verdis."
The 0.5 square kilometer territory, referred to as Pocket 3, lies at the heart of a protracted border dispute between Croatia and Serbia, where conflicting claims over historical and river boundaries have left sections of land in legal limbo—effectively terra nullius. This area has also attracted other aspiring nation-builders, including the self-declared Free Republic of Liberland, which asserts sovereignty over a nearby parcel of disputed land along the same border.
Formal Proclamation and Subsequent Challenges
Verdis was formally proclaimed on May 30, 2019, describing itself as a proposed sovereign state in Southeast Europe with English, Croatian, and Serbian as its official languages. In 2023, Jackson sought to expand the project by collaborating with supporters to establish a physical presence on the land.
"We set up a government, provided humanitarian aid, and even started a settlement," he recounted.
However, Croatian authorities swiftly intervened, removing those involved and blocking access to the site, with Jackson himself being detained. "Croatia is just blockading it," he stated. Consequently, the Vatican-sized nation is now administered from abroad, with Jackson splitting his time between the United Kingdom and Serbia, where a representative office has recently opened.
"Even while operating in exile, Verdis still has a responsibility for its citizens, just like any other country," Jackson emphasized. "A typical day for me is responding to journalists and foreign officials, managing the cabinet, and speaking to citizens and supporters."
He has also participated in surveying expeditions to the disputed territory and undertaken humanitarian missions to Ukraine with Verdis volunteers.
Growing Interest and Citizenship Programs
Interest in this "new state" has surged, with thousands of individuals applying for citizenship and several hundred already recognized as citizens. The organization reports that its e-residency program exceeded 4,000 participants by April 6, 2026, with many working toward full citizenship—a growth of approximately 300 percent in just over five months from about 1,000 members.
The e-Residency program enables people to register businesses and initiate a pathway to citizenship, though it does not confer residency rights and operates on a paid model starting from around €29.99 annually. Presently, however, these citizens cannot reside on the land, which is only accessible by boat from Croatia, with warnings against walking due to potential landmines in the area.
"We expect to return to the land, and citizens have the right of abode in Verdis," Jackson affirmed.
Governance Structure and Broader Ambitions
The self-declared state operates under a provisional government, with a set of "Basic Laws" serving as an interim constitution until elections can be conducted. These laws grant the administration extensive powers over citizenship, governance, and state development, with the president overseeing appointments and representing Verdis internationally.
Jackson articulated the broader objective of establishing a state with a strong emphasis on rights and neutrality. "We want our country to protect freedom of speech, act as an unbiased mediator in international issues, and serve as a humanitarian hub," he said.
He dismisses comparisons to micronations, contending that Verdis possesses a legal foundation under international law and is actively pursuing diplomatic engagement. "We're the only claimant to our land ... we engage in international relations and have representative offices," Jackson argued. "To me, a micronation is an entity that claims a backyard and isn't serious about actually being a state."
Legal Perspectives and Australian Context
Nevertheless, legal experts challenge his viewpoint, highlighting the absence of a permanent population and effective control over the territory—both fundamental criteria for statehood. While Verdis presents itself as a serious state-building endeavor, it mirrors a broader Australian trend of self-declared nations that have faced difficulties in attaining international recognition.
A University of Technology Sydney law study revealed that Australia has one of the highest concentrations of such entities globally, with Australians behind numerous projects established over decades. These initiatives typically fall into two categories: protest-driven breakaways formed in reaction to government decisions, or ideological and experimental "new countries" built around alternative political or social visions.
The most notable example is the Principality of Hutt River in Western Australia, founded in 1970 following a dispute over wheat quotas. It functioned for decades with its own currency, passports, and governing structures before dissolving in 2020 due to financial pressures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Another instance is Atlantium, established in 1981 by a group of teenagers in suburban Sydney and later managed from an apartment serving as its symbolic capital. It has since evolved into a long-term project centered more on philosophical sovereignty than territorial control. None of these projects have achieved formal recognition as sovereign states.
Future Aspirations and Long-Term Vision
Jackson insists that Verdis is fundamentally distinct, characterizing it as a long-term effort focused on recognition, infrastructure, and governance. "The end goal is to have the blockade lifted, build infrastructure, and then hold elections under a new constitution," he outlined.
He clarified that he does not intend to remain in power indefinitely. "I don't plan to run in those elections ... I plan to step down and live as a normal Verdisian citizen," Jackson stated.
For now, the project continues to operate from abroad, without access to the claimed land but with an expanding base of supporters. "We are in this for the long run ... it's a matter of when, not if," he concluded.
