As Asgardia enters its second decade, attention is turning from the institutions created during its formative years to what they can now deliver. Here, two of the Space Nation’s most senior political figures offer their perspectives on the challenges ahead. Parliament Chair Lembit Öpik considers the priorities for a pioneering digital democracy, while Prime Minister Salvos Mouzakitis explains how his Government intends to translate Asgardia’s ambitions into practical action.
Lembit Öpik has been Chair of Asgardia’s Parliament since the inaugural meeting in 2018. He looks forward to what the next decade may bring for what has become a case study in operating a digital democracy.
In 2018 I experienced one of the most moving moments of my life. Standing on the stage in the magnificent Hofburg Palace in central Vienna, I was one of three people on stage for the inauguration of Asgardia’s first Head of Nation, Dr Igor Ashurbeyli. A million people tuned in to watch the occasion, some out of interest, some with bemusement and perhaps a proportion out of sheer curiosity.
All these years later we’re still here – and with more experience functioning as a digital democracy than any other institution on Earth. This makes us something of a case study for others to follow. More than anything, though, it provides the launchpad for what happens next. In the decade ahead, Asgardia’s Parliament must do three things, which I’ll summarise in ascending order of difficulty.
First, we’ve got to keep going. A dynamic democracy doesn’t run itself. It needs constant care and attention, relationship building, problem solving and conflict resolution. Stresses in a democracy can destroy entire societies and even provoke revolutions. The maturity of Asgardia’s Parliament is a kind of insurance policy to safeguard the interests of the nation.
Inauguration of the Head of Nation of Asgardia, Dr Igor Ashurbeyli.
One measure of success I judge to be central to this is the absence of any political parties in Asgardia. This is a positive indication that factions and self-interest groups have no foothold in the democratic system. The focus is therefore not on personal advantage and power struggles. Instead, the collective interest comes first: a united determination to facilitate the first human birth in space and to establish the first permanent human space habitation.
The First Term was a period of construction; the Second Term is a period of delivery
Parliament is at its best when it keeps its gaze on the great goals of the nation instead of the small-minded political games people play in terrestrial democracies.
Second, Parliament must expand the Asgardian population. One of the biggest opportunities facing the nation is to attract millions of humans to join us. We’re still learning how to promote the benefits of Asgardian residency.
I’ve always encouraged fellow Parliamentarians to reach out to those who live in their neighbourhood, nation and continent and encourage them to become Asgardian residents and enjoy the full benefits of Asgardian society.
In the years ahead, we need to really share genuinely attractive features of Asgardia, ranging from the excellent Asgardia App through to the remarkable breadth of talent and intelligence that are hallmarks of our Asgardian way of life.
Third, the biggest goal, of course, is to drive the Asgardian economy. Parliament isn’t alone in these economic efforts. Government, entrepreneurs and Asgardians themselves – who are, after all, the market – have all got a role in this.
However, Parliamentarians are well placed to act as ambassadors in promoting the economic interests of the nation. We need literally billions to achieve our goals. The best way to raise that is by creating humanity’s most business-friendly economy – one where everyone has the chance for prosperity through hard work and intelligent initiative. This is how the sustained progress of Asgardia in space will be funded.
First Parliament session in Vienna, Austria in June 2018.
It’s easy to say we need an economic success story, but much harder to do. I’m working with Parliamentary colleagues to find creative ways to achieve this. The next decade is the crucial period for economic achievement.
When I was re-elected as Chair of Parliament for the Second Term of this institution, I said that the First Term was a period of construction; and the Second Term is a period of delivery.
The Third Term will be a period of great returns for those who invest time and trust in Asgardia now. If we can be politically stable, highly populous and economically successful, Parliament will be doing its job. My duty is to make it so. Please consider joining as a resident today. Be part of the future. Be part of Asgardia.
A government ready for space
Salvos Mouzakitis is Asgardia’s third Prime Minister. A highly active member of the political system since the creation of Asgardia, former deputy Chairman of the Parliament, he outlines his plans and expectations for the Government in this 10th anniversary year.
I never expected to be a Prime Minister but here I am, entrusted with leading the first Government ever created for a nation conceived on Earth, but for humanity’s future beyond it.
Asgardia has always been an ambitious idea. Ten years ago, its Founder and Head of Nation, Dr Igor Ashurbeyli, proposed something unprecedented: the creation of a Space Nation looking beyond the political and geographical limitations of Earth towards humanity’s future in space.
Ambitious ideas alone are not enough. Credibility comes when ideas become institutions, institutions produce activity and activity produces results
His vision turned an idea into a nation and gave us the foundations on which we continue to build. In that sense, I am very conscious that I stand on the shoulders of giants.
In moving forward, I am particularly fortunate to work closely with the Chairman of Parliament, Lembit Öpik, whose commitment, energy and invaluable support I deeply appreciate.
So, a decade later, Asgardia has already established institutions, a Parliament, a Government and a community of citizens across the world. Reaching this milestone presents us with an important question: what comes next? For the Government, I believe the answer is clear. The next phase must be action.
An important priority is Asgardia’s international presence and, ultimately, recognition as a nation state. Nigel Evans, our Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, brings decades of political and international experience to this effort.
Lembit Öpik and Salvos Mouzakitis.
The work being carried out across Government is broad and diverse, and I value equally the contribution and commitment of every member of my Cabinet. Within the limited space of this article, I can only highlight a few examples of the initiatives currently under way.
- Minister of Citizenship Ivan Rosel is advancing mayoral elections around the world, while working to strengthen citizen participation, identify the skills within our community and shape the future of Asgardian citizenship;
- Culture Minister Cheryl Gallagher is strengthening Asgardia’s presence in international space forums;
- Trade and Commerce Minister Ben Dell is developing mechanisms for commercial participation and digital transactions;
- Jennifer Gligoric, Minister of Equity and Resources, is developing the Asgardia Representative Offices initiative;
- Finance Minister Mark Bogen is working on the practical financial foundations of our economy.
- Justice Minister Mark Beer is advancing legal frameworks for recognition, space commerce, arbitration and mediation;
- Manufacturing Minister Jacob Mulder is showing strong initiative in practical and legislative work within his portfolio;
- Safety and Security Minister Michael Chirino is focusing on secure digital infrastructure and identity verification;
- Youth and Education Minister Dan Profir is expanding Asgardia’s outreach to younger generations through podcasts, YouTube and social media, developing engaging educational content around our mission and the future of humanity in space.
Increasingly, many of these activities can and should come together through the excellent Asgardia App. For a nation not defined by conventional geography, this is much more than a communication tool: it can become the integrated digital environment through which citizens access government services, participate in our community and engage in the civic and economic life of the Nation.
The future will require more than technology: it will require institutions, rules, cooperation and a civic vision of human life in space
This requires close cooperation between our Ministers and the teams responsible for Asgardia’s digital infrastructure and the app. Wherever possible, the results of ministerial work should be translated into digital functions and services within this common platform. In this way, Government initiatives become accessible and useful to Asgardians, while the app develops in response to the evolving needs of the Nation. In many respects, this is where Asgardia can become tangible for its citizens, where institutions and ideas become services and opportunities they can actually use.
The SSC of Asgardia held its 15th meeting in Corfu, Greece, on 8-9 August 2026). Pictured (from left): Salvos Mouzakitis, Dr Igor Ashurbeyli, Dumitru-Dorin Prunariu and Lembit Opik.
The first decade of Asgardia was necessarily one of creation. Institutions were established, laws developed and structures built through the work of Parliament, Government, Ministers and many others committed to this extraordinary project. The challenge of the next phase is to build upon those foundations and make them increasingly operational.
This is also how Asgardia will establish credibility. Ambitious ideas alone are not enough. Credibility comes when ideas become institutions, institutions produce activity, and activity produces results.
I have been involved with Asgardia since its early days, and ten years later I remain convinced that its central idea matters. Humanity is moving towards a future in which living and working beyond Earth will increasingly become a reality. The future will require more than technology: it will require institutions, rules, cooperation and a civic vision of human life in space. Asgardia has chosen to work on that future now.
As Prime Minister, my task is not simply to describe what that future might look like. Together with my Ministers, and in close cooperation with Parliament, it is to take practical steps towards making it real.
That is what an executive Government exists to do. And that is the Government I intend to lead.
