King of Switzerland? Man Acquires Vast Land Holdings by Exploiting Legal Loophole

In a move that blurs the lines between eccentricity and legal maneuvering, Jonas Lauviner declared himself "King Jonas I" of Switzerland in 2019. While many dismissed him as an eccentric, Lauviner has systematically used a loophole in Swiss law to acquire a significant "land empire" spanning 117,000 square meters.

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The role of king is very special in Switzerland because it is not really accepted. It is very controversial.

Lauviner, a 31-year-old who also works full-time in the pharmaceutical industry, describes his role as a "symbolic monarch." His self-proclaimed "kingdom" includes a coronation ceremony held in Bern, a collection of royal attire including an 18-karat gold crown, a website, and even an "imperial bank" issuing "semi-sovereign coins." Videos showcase his entourage performing drills with military equipment near his "royal palace."

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But I am not a constitutional monarch. I am a symbolic monarch. In Switzerland, there is a king, and that is me, King Jonas.

Switzerland, with no historical tradition of monarchy and no constitutional provision for a royal family, presents a unique backdrop for Lauviner's ambitions. "But I am not a constitutional monarch," Lauviner told France 24. "I am a symbolic monarch. In Switzerland, there is a king, and that is me, King Jonas."

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That was the biggest day of my life. Since I was eight years old, I wanted to have my own land. My dream was finally realized.

His "land empire" is the result of a decade-long effort to exploit a legal provision allowing individuals to claim unowned land for free, requiring only administrative fees. Lauviner first acquired land on his 20th birthday, a small plot gifted by his father. "That was the biggest day of my life. Since I was eight years old, I wanted to have my own land. My dream was finally realized," he said. Discovering that a neighboring parcel had no registered owner, he legally appropriated it, paying only a few hundred francs. This success spurred a larger quest, leading him to discover and claim numerous other parcels across the country.

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Then I thought this cannot be the only such parcel. It would be too lucky if I had discovered the only parcel in Switzerland. So I started a big search and found another, then another, then another.