Romanov Empire (micronation)

Romanov Empire
Unrecognized micronation
Claimed byAnton Bakov
Dates claimed2011 to present
Area claimedFormer Russian Empire

The Romanov Empire (Russian: Романовская Империя[1][2]), also known as the Imperial Throne (Russian: Императорский Престол[3]), formerly the Russian Empire (Российская Империя), is a micronation proposed by Russian businessman and politician Anton Bakov as a re-creation of the Russian Empire. It would be led by Romanov heir Prince Karl Emich of Leiningen as Emperor Nicholas III, with Bakov serving as Archchancellor.

History

[edit]
Anton Bakov and Karl Emich signing founding documents for the Imperial Throne

Bakov declared the new Russian Empire to be the successor to the historical Russian Empire that ceased to exist in 1917.[4] Bakov declared himself prime minister and announced a constitution and state symbols.[5] The empire began to issue its own passports online for 1,000 rubles (US$31), and by 2014 it claimed it had granted about 4,000 passports to citizens.[6] In June 2012, Bakov registered the Monarchist Party with the Russian Ministry of Justice,[7] with the stated goal of restoring the monarchy to Russia in accordance with the law. It is the only legalised monarchist party in Russia. In July 2013, Bakov claimed his nation granted citizenship to Edward Snowden, who at the time was in Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport seeking asylum in Russia.[8] In the fall of 2013, Bakov's daughter Anastasia Bakova (Анастасия Бакова) was the Monarchist Party's candidate in the mayoral elections in Yekaterinburg.

On 31 March 2014, under the new name of the Imperial Throne, the micronation issued a manifesto announcing itself a sovereign nation and declaring that Prince Karl Emich of Leiningen (born 1952) had become its head with the title of Nicholas III, Emperor of All Russia, as a successor to Nicholas II. After he was named Emperor, Nicholas III wrote a letter to Vladimir Putin requesting land in Yekaterinburg to establish a capital with its own imperial senate.[9] The request was denied.[10]

Bakov has held discussions with a number of nations in attempts to purchase land and give the micronation territory under its control. As of 2017, talks with Kiribati and the Gambia were unsuccessful.[11][12][13] Bakov alleged that Kiribati authorities agreed within government, but rejected at the level of parliament. Bakov also purchased a plot of land in Montenegro and held talks with Montenegrin authorities, but these talks also failed.[14]

Bakov ran for President of Russia at 2018 Russian presidential election also from Monarchist Party, was registered and then withdrew himself from the run claiming that his lawyers considered it was impossible for a candidate to have double citizenship (both of Russian Federation and of the micronation).[15]

In 2020, Bakov declared that his new project, the successor to the Empire, entitled Arca Noë, is going to be based in neutral Mediterranean waters close to Venice as a part of the seasteading movement.[16]

References

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  1. ^ "Закон "О равнозначности наименований Суверенное государство Императорский Престол и Романовская Империя"". Russianempire.org. Archived from the original on 3 November 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  2. ^ Устинов, Александр. "Принят Закон "О равнозначности наименований Суверенное государство Императорский Престол и Романовская Империя"". Rupolit.net. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  3. ^ КОНСТИТУЦИЯ СУВЕРЕННОГО ГОСУДАРСТВА ИМПЕРАТОРСКИЙ ПРЕСТОЛ [Constitution of the Sovereign State of the Imperial Throne]. Russianempire.org (in Russian). Archived from the original on 18 April 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2015. 1. Императорский Престол – Суверенное Государство, конституционная монархия, правопреемник Всероссийского Императорского Престола, и предшествовавших ему Римского и Византийского Престолов
  4. ^ "About". Russianempire.org (in Russian). Archived from the original on 31 December 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  5. ^ Возрождена Российская империя [Revived Russian Empire]. Babr (in Russian). 2 September 2011. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  6. ^ (in Russian) n:ru:Виртуальная «Российская империя» с одобрения Николая III обретает государственный суверенитетRussian Wikinews, 15 April 2014
  7. ^ "Список политических партий, имеющих право в соответствии с Федеральным законом от 11.07.2001 № 95-ФЗ «О политических партиях» принимать участие в выборах | Минюст России". minjust.ru. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  8. ^ Председатель Совета министров Российской Империи выписал Сноудену паспорт [Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Russian Empire made Snowden a passport] (in Russian). Regions. 5 July 2013. Archived from the original on 31 December 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  9. ^ "Политическая инициатива Николая Кирилловича, Принца Лейнингенского, по созданию в Екатеринбурге города-государства – Императорский Всероссийский Престол". Monpartya.ru. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  10. ^ Гость "Стенда"– Антон Баков, Председатель Монархической партии России [Guest Anton Bakov, President of the Monarch Party of Russia]. Channel4 (in Russian). 2 June 2014. Archived from the original on 9 October 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  11. ^ "Gambia denies hosting Russian imperial revival bid". BBC News. 12 December 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  12. ^ "Kiribati rejects Russian's 'Romanov revival' plan". BBC News. 27 February 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  13. ^ Marson, James (16 April 2017). "This Man's Quest to Restore the Russian Empire Isn't Going Well". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  14. ^ https://en.vijesti.me/vijesti/ekonomija/216783/ruski-politicar-bi-da-gradi-imperatorski-dvor-u-niksicu [bare URL]
  15. ^ "Антон Баков сосредоточится на империи". 24 January 2018.
  16. ^ "Антон Баков хочет построить новое государство "Ноев ковчег" рядом с Венецией". Archived from the original on 19 July 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2020.