National Council (Monaco)

The National Council (French: Conseil national; Monégasque: Cunsiyu naçiunale) is the unicameral parliament (legislative body) of the Principality of Monaco. Formed in 1911 after the Monégasque Revolution, the National Council initially had 12 members, increased to 18 in 1962 and 24 members since 2002, who are elected from lists by universal suffrage. The National Council is chaired by a president, who was initially appointed by the sovereign prince but has been elected by the National Council members since the year 1962. The current president of the National Council is Thomas Brezzo.

National Council Conseil national
Type
Type	Unicameral
Leadership
President	Thomas Brezzo, Priorité Monaco since 3 April 2024
Vice President	Jean-Louis Grinda, UNM since 17 February 2023
Structure
Seats	24
Political groups	Majority (24):   Monegasque National Union (24)   Priorité Monaco (13)   Horizon Monaco (8)   Union Monégasque (3)
Elections
Voting system	Block voting with Panachage (16) Party-list proportional representation (8)
Last election	5 February 2023
Meeting place
Monaco City
Website
www.conseil-national.mc/index.php

History

The Monégasque Revolution of 1910 was a series of confrontations by the subjects of Monaco against their ruler, Prince Albert I.^[1] On 28 March 1910, Prince Albert I agreed to hold elections by universal suffrage for a parliament.^[2] This led to the end of absolute monarchy with the promulgation of the Constitution of Monaco on 7 January 1911.^[3] Elections were held for 12 members, with Prince Albert I retaining the right to appoint parliament's president.^[4] The inaugural meeting of the new parliament was on 3 May 1911.^[2]

The constitution was overhauled in 1962, which gave the National Council more power (including to elect the president of the chamber) and increased its membership to 18. Further changes were made to the constitution in 2002, further increasing the responsibility of the National Council and increasing its membership to 24.^[4]

Description

The body is composed of twenty-four members, who are elected from lists by universal suffrage. Of those, 16 seats are assigned from a majority list and 8 seats are filled proportionally from lists that obtain more than 5% of the votes.^[5] Councillors serve for five-year terms, and though it may act independently of the Prince when debating legislation or the State Budget, the Prince shares mutual power between himself and the National Council. He may dissolve it at any time, provided that new elections be held within three months.^{[citation needed]} To be eligible to vote, people must be at least 25 years old and hold citizenship.^[5]

The Council meets at least twice per year to vote on the country's budget and bills proposed by the prince's government. Ordinances (executive orders) are debated in the Council of Government, and once approved, must be submitted to the Prince within eighty days for his signature, which makes them legally enforceable. If he does not express opposition within ten days of submission, they become valid.^{[citation needed]}

Presidents

President	Party		Term	Elected	Ref.
Eugène Marquet			1911–1914	1911	[6]
Dissolved by: Albert I
Eugène Marquet			1918–1928	1918 1921	[7]
Jean Marsan			1929	1929	[8]
Eugène Marquet			1930		[9]
Dissolved by: Louis II
Henri Settimo			1933–1944	1933	[10]
Charles Bellando			1944–1950	1946	[11]
Louis Aureglia-Cima [fr]			1950–1954	1950	[12]
Joseph Simon			1954–1955		[13]
Louis Aureglia-Cima			1955–1958	1955	[14]
Joseph Simon		National Union of Independents	1958–1959	1958	[15]
Dissolved by: Rainier III
Joseph Simon		National and Democratic Union	1962–1968	1963	[16]
August Médecin		National and Democratic Union	1968–1978	1968 1973	[17]
Jean-Charles Rey [fr]		National and Democratic Union	1978–1993	1978 1983 1988	[18]
Jean-Louis Campora		National and Democratic Union	1993–2003	1993 1998	[19]
Stéphane Valeri		Union for the Principality	2003–2010	2003 2008	[20]
Jean-François Robillon		Union Monégasque	2010–2013		[21]
Laurent Nouvion		Rally & Issues	2013–2016	2013	[22]
Christophe Steiner		Horizon Monaco	2016–2018		[23]
Stéphane Valeri		Priorité Monaco	2018–2022	2018	[24]
Brigitte Boccone-Pagès		Priorité Monaco	2022–2024	2023	[25]
Thomas Brezzo		Priorité Monaco	2024–		[26]

See also

• List of current members of the National Council of Monaco