The former Minister of Agriculture in the Philippe government takes up his new duties on Monday in the principality. Function, appointment, nationality: what you need to know about the position of Minister of State of Monaco.
Didier Guillaume, former socialist senator and then Minister of Agriculture under Édouard Philippe (2018-2020), during Emmanuel Macron’s first five-year term, becomes the new Minister of State of Monaco on Monday, September 2. This French specialist in agricultural issues, who was also mayor of Bourg-de-Péage and president of the Drôme department, succeeds Pierre Dartout, former prefect, who is completing a four-year term.
But what is the concrete role of the Minister of State of the principality, formerly placed under the aegis of the “protective friendship” of France, defined by a treaty of 1918? And why can a Frenchman exercise this mandate? The Figaro explains everything you need to know.
Since when has this function existed?
The position of “Minister of State” was created in January 1911 with the adoption of the first Constitution of Monaco, under the reign of Prince Albert I. But it is now the Constitution of 1962, revised in 2002, which governs the function as we know it today.
What is the role of the Minister of State?
According to the supreme text in force in the micro-state where 36,000 inhabitants live, “the minister of state represents the prince”. “He exercises the direction of the executive services, has the public force at his disposal [et] presides, with a casting vote, over the Government Council”.
This Council is composed of five ministers appointed by the prince and who head ministerial departments: Interior, Finance and Economy, Social Affairs and Health, Environment, External Relations. The Minister of State presents draft laws to the prince and, if the latter signs them, transmits them to the National Council which exercises legislative power in the principality.
The Minister of State and his advisors “are responsible to the Prince for the administration of the Principality”details the text.
Why can he be French?
Until December 1, 2005, the Minister of State had to be of French nationality. But in October 2002, a treaty signed by Jacques Chirac and which came into force three years later stipulated that this function could be carried out by a French or Monegasque civil servant.
Monaco is no longer obliged to appoint French officials to key positions, except for the Minister of the Interior.
What is it called?
It is the prince who decides who he appoints as Minister of State. However, the sovereign only makes his decision official after consulting the French government. “In order to demonstrate the community of destiny that binds them, the two parties consult each other regarding the holders of functions that affect their fundamental interests. The consultations make it possible to ensure that the high-ranking personalities concerned enjoy their respective confidence.”specifies a decree of February 2009.
Previously, the prince had to choose his Minister of State from three names proposed by France, in accordance with the protective friendship treaty ratified between the country and the principality. France thus wanted to prevent Monaco from falling into German hands.
Related News :