198 - We’re Building a New Country in Europe | Daniel Jackson

At 21 years old, Daniel Jackson is already president of a country. There is just one problem: he currently can't enter it. If you follow Free Cities, micronations or alternative governance online, there’s a good chance Verdis has suddenly appeared in your social media feed. Daniel says Verdis-related content has generated more than 200 million views over the past year, much of it following footage of him being chased by Croatian police boats. Verdis claims a tiny piece of land on the Danube between Croatia and Serbia, close to Liberland. Daniel and his team established a settlement there in 2023 before Croatian authorities removed them. Today Verdis operates what it calls a government in exile, claims around 400 citizens and 5,000 e-residents, issues passports and is attempting to build diplomatic relationships around the world. But Verdis is not simply another Liberland. Daniel describes himself as a centrist, wants the country to be politically neutral, is cautious about becoming a tax haven and talks repeatedly about keeping Croatia and Serbia comfortable with whatever Verdis becomes. The central problem: declaring sovereignty is one thing, but how do you actually achieve it when the neighbouring states hold all the cards? In this conversation: terra nullius, international recognition, citizenship, passports, taxation, attracting residents, financing a new country and the diplomatic effort to get back onto the land. And near the end Daniel reveals something unexpected: if Verdis succeeds, adopts a new constitution and holds elections, he says he won’t run. He wants to step down and live there as an ordinary citizen. Key topics covered Why Verdis suddenly appeared all over social media Daniel Jackson becoming president at 21 Verdis versus Liberland Claiming one of the world’s last pieces of unclaimed land The Croatian blockade Being chased by Croatian police boats Operating a government in exile Can Verdis actually become a recognised country? The Croatia-Serbia border dispute Terra nullius and the “oldest active claimant” 400 citizens and 5,000 e-residents How Verdis citizenship works What a future Verdis could look like Creating a functioning national border The Verdis passport Can you actually travel with it? Why Daniel doesn’t want Verdis to be radically libertarian Taxes and attracting residents Neutrality and Verdis’s founding values Diplomacy and international recognition How Verdis funds itself What Verdis can offer Croatia Why Daniel plans to give up the presidency Are new countries having a moment? Timestamps (Audio version only. Includes Timothy's introduction) 00:30 Introduction 06:17 Start of conversation 09:08 Why start your own country? 12:21 What and where is Verdis? 16:24 Croatian police remove the settlement 18:23 More than 200 million social-media views 22:35 How Verdis differs from Liberland 24:15 Imposter syndrome and international recognition 26:12 How does the border dispute ever get resolved? 32:36 Terra nullius and the claim to Verdis 34:52 400 citizens and 5,000 e-residents 37:12 How e-residency and citizenship work 39:25 Is Verdis trying to build a normal state? 42:24 The Verdis passport 45:13 The uphill battle towards recognition 46:46 What happened during the first settlement? 57:39 How do you attract people to Verdis? 59:09 What are Verdis’s values? 1:03:18 The next steps towards recognition 1:07:02 How does Verdis fund itself? 1:12:02 What can Verdis offer Croatia? 1:13:19 A president who’s never had an election 1:14:09 Why Daniel plans to step down 1:15:55 Are new countries having a moment? Guest: Daniel Jackson - Verdis website | Verdis on X | Daniel on TikTok | LinkedIn | Instagram The Free Cities Podcast is the official podcast of the Free Cities Foundation, hosted by Timothy Allen. New episodes every Friday. Long-form, in-person conversations with the builders, investors, residents and thinkers shaping the future of Free Cities, charter cities, special economic zones, network states, private cities and governance innovation worldwide. Listen & subscribe: FreeCities.fm | All platforms | Fountain - bonus episodes & early access Community: Telegram | Free Cities Foundation newsletter | Free Cities Conference Support the show: Donate via Stripe | V4V podcast apps Lead show sponsor: Veritas Villages - Off-grid, energy self-sufficient communities for freedom-minded people in Latin America. Bitcoin accepted for property purchases. New: Veritas Village at Atenas, Costa Rica - Watch the official reveal Follow: Timothy Allen on X & Nostr | Free Cities Foundation on X & Nostr