An Australian teenager has captured global attention after proclaiming himself president of the self-declared Free Republic of Verdis — a micronation situated in a 125-acre forest along the Danube River between Croatia and Serbia.
The territory, known as “pocket three,” remains officially unclaimed due to an ongoing border dispute between the two countries. In 2019, Daniel Jackson founded Verdis, establishing a flag, a cabinet, a currency, and a citizenry that now numbers around 400.
Jackson first conceived the idea at just 14 as a lighthearted project with friends, but by the age of 18, he had begun formalising the nation’s government. Verdis lists English, Croatian, and Serbian as its official languages and uses the Euro as currency. The territory is accessible only by boat from Osijek, Croatia, but efforts to settle there have faced strong resistance.
In October 2023, Croatian police detained and deported several settlers — including Jackson — and issued him a lifetime ban from entering the country, citing security concerns. Since then, Jackson has operated a “government in exile,” alleging that Croatian authorities have placed surveillance along the shoreline to block any entry attempts from the Serbian side.
According to Jackson, Serbia has shown more openness to his cause, and he frequently travels to Belgrade for diplomatic outreach. He says his ultimate goal is to restore access to Verdis, pledging to hold elections and step down as president if successful.
Verdis also issues its own passports, though Jackson warns against using them for international travel after some citizens reportedly attempted to do so. Citizenship, he notes, is granted selectively, with priority given to skilled professionals such as doctors and law enforcement officers.
Despite legal and logistical challenges, Jackson maintains that Verdis has a legitimate claim to the land, arguing that Croatia does not officially contest it. Undeterred by the setbacks, the self-styled president remains optimistic that one day his fledgling nation will become a reality.
