A man in Switzerland declared himself king and came into conflict with the authorities
Jonas Lauviner, a resident of the canton of Bern, has declared the creation of his own “monarchy” and a symbolic “land empire.” In 2019, he proclaimed himself “King Jonas I” during a ceremony at the Niedegg Church in Bern. Since then, he has positioned himself as the symbolic monarch of Switzerland, even though the country’s constitution does not provide for a monarchy.
At the same time, Lauviner is building what he calls his “land empire.” Taking advantage of a legal loophole that allows claims on unclaimed land, he has registered ownership of about 150 plots totaling over 117,000 square meters across Switzerland.
According to him, this property includes roads, agricultural plots, and areas through which thousands of people pass every day. This has become a source of conflict with municipalities, which are outraged that Lauwiner can demand payment for the use or maintenance of infrastructure.
In several communities, authorities are attempting to challenge his rights or buy the land, but he insists that he is acting strictly within the law. In some cases, he has offered to either buy the plots for tens of thousands of francs or have them renamed in his honor.
Critics accuse him of pressuring local residents and commercializing what should remain public infrastructure. Lauviner himself rejects the claims, asserting that he does not make a profit but merely covers maintenance costs.
Despite the controversy, he continues to carry out “full-time work” managing his properties while simultaneously pursuing a political career. In 2024, he was elected to the Burgdorf City Council as an independent candidate, and now he is announcing his ambition to run for higher offices in Switzerland.
Lauviner himself claims that he does not seek power, but only wants a peaceful life; however, his “empire” continues to grow—along with the controversies surrounding it.
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