Could these tropical atolls become a Russian monarchist haven?
Gilbert Islands, Kiribati (Image: Charly W. Karl under a CC licence)
31 January 2017
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Elise Morton
Meet Russian businessman Anton Bakov, the man with a vision to revive the Russian monarchy in the Pacific island nation of Kiribati.
Kiribati’s government is currently considering a proposal from Mr Bakov to create an “alternative Russia” on three of the country’s uninhabited atolls, restoring the Romanov rule overthrown in 1917 by the Bolshevik Revolution.
What could be in it for Kiribati? Mr Bakov’s suggestion might be rather lucrative for the country — the businessman has promised to invest $350 million in the project, building a number of resorts that could invigorate Kiribati’s tourist industry.
This is not the first time Mr Bakov has sought to establish a Russian monarchist haven. Back in 2011, he set up the “Imperial Throne” — an unrecognised micro-nation lacking any territory, ruled by a leader known as Emperor Nicholas III.
This time around, the monarchist seeks to enlist the help of 64-year-old German noble Prince Karl Emich of Leiningen, who is allegedly a direct descendent of Alexander II, to rule the “alternative Russia”.
According to Mr Bakov, his idea finds considerable support on the mainland.
“This is the desire not only of the heir of the Russian throne but also a great number of Russian patriots who are not happy with Putin’s regime and would like to have their revival of Romanov’s empire visible — as an alternative Russia,” he said in a statement to Radio New Zealand.
Critics, however, have voiced shock that Kiribati is considering the proposal as a viable option.
Pacific development specialist Dr Sitiveni Halapua told Radio New Zealand that while he can understand why the government might try to “raise as much resources as they can to deal with their own problems including climate change”, the proposal is both a “very strange” and “scary” prospect for the nation.
With rising sea levels casting doubt on the future of Kiribati, will the low-lying nation look to a revived Russian monarchy as grounds for hope? It could be a fitting tribute for the centenary of 1917.
