Heinrich XIII Prince Reuss is suspected of becoming the new leader of Germany after overthrowing the democratic order in a violent coup. Read to know more.
Heinrich XIII and the violent coup
The House of Reuss ruled over vast parts of the present-day Thueringen state. Heinrich XIII is one of the last descendants of the dynasty. The monarchy continued until 1918 when a revolution led to the establishment of the Weimar Republic. The 71-year-old was also one of the 25 supporters and members of a far-right group planning the coup. As per the authorities, the members were arrested on Wednesday in a nationwide raid.
For years, he has been advocating a theory that life is better under a monarchy. Moreover, in a 2019 speech, he stated that in the principality, Reuss people were leading “happy lives” as the structures were “straightforward and transparent” and the tax was just 10 percent. “If things didn’t work well, you just went to the prince. Who are you supposed to turn to today? Your parliamentarian, the local, federal, or EU level? Good luck!” stated Heinrich XIII.
More on the arrest
On Wednesday, the prosecutors revealed Heinrich XIII reached out to Russian representatives. The group also saw them as their central contact for establishing a new order in the nation. However, the Kremlin state that there is no question of Russian involvement in the alleged coup. The Prince was arrested at his Frankfurt home and led out in handcuffs. Additionally, the police searched his hunting lodge where reports suspected him of stocking weapons.
The federal prosecutors’ office declined to commend his involvement in the “Reichsbuerger” movement. The far-right movement denies the existence of the modern nation. However, Heinrich XIV, the current head of the House of Reuss lives in Austria and has distanced himself from Heinrich XIII. As per media reports, he called the latter a confused person peddling conspiracy theories. At the end of the 12th century, the Reuss dynasty started naming all the male children Heinrich or Henry, in honor of Henry IV, the Holy Roman Emperor.