The Government and Political System in Monaco

The country of Monaco is governed as a constitutional monarchy since 1911, with the Crown Prince as chief of state. The Minister of State (head of government) presides over a 5-member Council of Government (cabinet) and is also responsible for foreign relations. As the Prince’s representative, the Minister of State also directs the executive services, commands the police, and presides (with voting powers) over the Council of Government. The five members of the Council are respectively responsible for internal affairs, external affairs, the environment, finance and economy, and social affairs and health.

In the 1962 constitution of the country, the Prince shares his power with the unicameral National Council. Sixteen of the 24 members of this legislative body are elected by list majority system and 8 by proportional representation to serve 5 year terms. The elections were last held in February 2008. If the Prince dissolves the National Council, new elections must be held within 3 months. Usually meeting twice annually, the Council votes on the budget and endorses laws proposed by the Prince.

Judicial power is endowed in the Prince, who delegates judicial procedures to the various courts, which dispense justice in his name. The independence of the judges is guaranteed by the constitution. The Supreme Court is composed of five chief members and two assistant judges named by the Prince on the basis of nominations by the National Council and other government bodies. The Supreme Court is the highest court for judicial appeals and also interprets the constitution when necessary. Monaco’s legal system, which closely related to that of France, is patterned after the Napoleonic Code.