Free City of Vodopol
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 Coat of arms
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| Motto: Aeterna Gloria (Latin) "Eternal Glory" | |||||||
| Anthem: Imnul național la Orașului Liber Vodopol (Romanian) "National anthem of the Free City of Vodopol" | |||||||
| Official languages | Romanian | ||||||
| Religion | Orthodox Christianity | ||||||
| Demonym(s) | Vodopolese Vodopolez (Romanian) | ||||||
| Government | Unitary semi-presidential republic (formerly, before 30 January 2023) Unitary presidential republic (currently, since 30 January 2023) | ||||||
| Ion Stolojan | |||||||
| Vacant | |||||||
| Legislature | Supreme Council (formerly, before 30 January 2023) Rule by decree (currently, since 30 January 2023) | ||||||
| Establishment | |||||||
• Established | 01 August 2021 | ||||||
• Supreme Council dissolved | 30 January 2023 | ||||||
| Population | |||||||
• 2023 census | 1 | ||||||
| Currency | Romanian Leu (RON) | ||||||
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2:00) EEST (UTC+3:00) | ||||||
| Date format | dd-mm-yyyy | ||||||
| Driving side | right | ||||||
| Calling code | +40 | ||||||
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Vodopol (/vɔːdɔːpɔːl/; Romanian: [vodopol]), officially the Free City of Vodopol, is an independent city-state with no international/UN recognition (it is de jure considered part of Romania). As such, it is often referred to as a micronation. Vodopol is located in Southeastern Europe, with its entire territory being surrounded by Romania. It has a predominantly temperate-continental climate. The Free City hosts a population of 3 people, not including an additional 1 citizen living in Romania, outside of its borders. The entire population identifies themselves as Eastern Orthodox Christians and are native speakers of Romanian, a Romance language and the official language. Vodopol also serves as the seat of the High Commissioner, as well as that of the Supreme Council.
The city itself was planned to become the new capital of the Vlasynian Despotate as early as March 2021. However, on 16 July of the same year, Ested Vlasyn, who at the time was Despot of Vlasynia, announced that on 1 August he would dissolve the Despotate. Five days later, on 21 July, Vodopol was formerly annexed and established as a Vlasynian Municipality. This status would only last for 11 days, though, as on 1 August 2021 Ested kept his word and dissolved the Vlasynian Despotate. In the process, he returned all Vlasynian territory with the exception of Vodopol to Romania and then declared the Free City of Vodopol as a city-state and the sole legal successor to the Despotate. Later that day, the Supreme Council was established as the main governing body of the Free City, after which it appointed Ested as High Commissioner.
Although, as of 30 January 2023 it technically still exists, the Vodopolese state has been functionally inactive since 24 February 2022, with only a major regime change having taken place on 30 January 2023.
Etymology
The name consists of the words Vodă, a shortened form of the European title of Voivode and part of Ested Vlasyn's former title, alongside polis, meaning city (state) in ancient Greek.
Name in other languages
- Vodopol (most languages)
- Boдо́поль (Russian)
History
On 11 March 2021, it was officially announced that the Vlasynian Despotate was going to change its capital city by the end of 2021. The new venue was declared to be the future Vodopol Municipality, whose location shall remain, even to this day, undisclosed for security reasons.
On 21 July 2021, Vodopol was formally annexed by the Despotate as a non-autonomous municipality. On the same day, it was decided by former Despot Ested I that on 1 August 2021 Vlasynia shall be dissolved and succeeded by the Free City as its sole successor state.
On 24 February 2022, Vodopol entered a period of complete inactivity, with the High Commissioner at the time, Ested Vlasyn, declaring he would officially dissolve Vodopol once his country's participation in the 3rd edition of the Microvision Song Contest would end. However, with the continuous delay of the contest's grand final, Vodopol's existence has been prolonged as a result.
On 30 January 2023, after the Supreme Council was dissolved by its President, Gorkin Vlasyn, Ested Vlasyn resigned from all of his positions and appointed Ion Stolojan as the next High Commissioner.
Politics and government
Administrative divisions
On 1 October 2021, the Free City of Vodopol was formally divided into six administrative subdivisions known as districts (Romanian - districte). They have no official name, flag, coat of arms, or governor, since their purpose is to better organize and administrate the Free City's territory, as well as keep them divided based on utility. They are under the administration of the Supreme Council. The following are the unofficial names of the districts as of 24 November 2021:
- Central District
- Garaj District
- Hogeac District
- Grătar District
- Tuia District
- Poarta District
GUM Sister Cities Program
Initially, Vodopol was going to replace Divellis' position in the GUM Sister Cities Program, and as such was going to be paired with the following cities:
However, due to the decision to dissolve the Despotate and to establish the Free City, this initiative was, too, cancelled.
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