The Man Who Crowned Himself King and Emperor of Switzerland – What Happened?
The photo shows Jonas Launer, who declared himself King of Switzerland. He is the son of a Swiss father and a Moroccan mother. Before you look at other countries, let me explain how. Jonas discovered a rare loophole in Swiss law that allows any Swiss citizen to claim ownership of abandoned, ownerless land. All that is required is documentation proving the land is free of any disputes. With remarkable ingenuity, Jonas managed to acquire 148 plots of land (including forests and abandoned neighborhoods) and 83 abandoned roads. His holdings cover an estimated 117,000 square meters, which could be considered a private kingdom. This led him to declare himself king of his lands and establish his family as a royal dynasty. Of course, this coronation was purely ceremonial and symbolic, without any constitutional basis. For those who wish to research further, simply search for his name: Jonas Launer.
Jonas Launer was widely described as an eccentric figure when he crowned himself "King of Switzerland" in 2019, exploiting a loophole in Swiss law to acquire a 117,000-square-meter "land empire." Launer told France 24 that local authorities, who are desperately trying to stop him, are jealous they didn't think of it first.
Jonas Launer, a 31-year-old IT specialist, sparked controversy in Switzerland after declaring himself "King of Switzerland." Launer, who proclaimed himself "King of Switzerland," runs his "empire" from his residence, which he calls his palace, in Burgdorf. He has launched his own currency and a symbolic throne, describing the land acquisition as a bloodless, digital "military operation." This move has caused considerable resentment among local homeowners, as he now legally owns the roads they use, and is said to have begun imposing maintenance fees or demanding exorbitant sums - up to 150,000 Swiss francs - to resell the land to municipalities.