| Romanov Empire | |
|---|---|
| Unrecognized micronation | |
| Claimed by | Anton Bakov |
| Dates claimed | 2011 to present |
| Area claimed | Former 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.
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 amnesty 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 run 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]
1. Императорский Престол – Суверенное Государство, конституционная монархия, правопреемник Всероссийского Императорского Престола, и предшествовавших ему Римского и Византийского Престолов
