Politics

The politics of Monaco have traditionally been under the autocratic control of the Prince of Monaco, and from its founding the principality was a monarchy ruled by the House of Grimaldi; however, with the creation of a Constitution in 1911, the Prince relinquished his autocratic rule and the principality became a constitutional monarchy. Though he remains the head of state, some of his former power is now devolved to several advisory and legislative bodies.

Constitution

A first Constitution of Monaco was adopted in 1911 and a new one, awarded by Prince Rainier III on December 17, 1962, outlines legislative, judicial and executive branches of government, which consist of several administrative offices and a number of councils. Despite having relinquished some of his formerly absolute power, the Prince of Monaco remains head of state and retains most of the country's governing power; however, the principality's judicial and legislative bodies may operate independent of his control.

Executive Branch

The Council of Government is under the authority of the prince. The prince is hereditary, the minister of state appointed by the monarch from a list of three French national candidates presented by the French Government. The prince is advised by the Crown Council of Monaco.

Legislative Branch

The unicameral National Council (Conseil National) has 24 seats. The members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms.

Judicial Branch

The supreme courts are the Judicial revision court (Cour de révision judiciaire), which hears civil and criminal cases (as well as some administrative cases), and the Supreme tribunal (tribunal suprême), which performs judicial review. Both courts are staffed by French judges (appointed among judges of French courts, members of the Conseil d'État and university professors).

Foreign Relations

The Principality of Monaco is a sovereign and independent state, linked closely to France by the Treaty of 1918, the text of which has international recognition because it is confirmed by Article 436 of the Treaty of Versailles of 1919, which instituted a contractual, bilateral, and reciprocal regime between the two states. The foreign policy of Monaco is one illustration of this accord: France has agreed to defend the independence and sovereignty of Monaco, while the Monegasque Government has agreed to exercise its sovereign rights in conformity with French interests. Since then, the relations between the sovereign states of France and Monaco have been further defined in the Treaty of 1945 and the Agreement of 1963.

Owing to its diplomatic tutelage under France, Monaco still lacks diplomatic ties with many countries. Japan established diplomatic relations with Monaco on December 15, 2006, having previously only maintained consular relations.

Only two European nations, France and Italy have permanent embassies located in the Principality. The Principality has permanent embassies in Belgium, France, Germany, Holy See, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the United States. It also has a permanent mission to the United Nations, in New York City and in Geneva, and a delegation to the Council of Europe. The embassy in Belgium also is accredited to Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the European Union, while the embassy in Switzerland provides consular representation to Liechtenstein.

Monaco maintains a network of consulates in 104 cities on every continent (except Antarctica). Besides the presence of the French and Italian embassies, sixty-nine nations have consulates general or consulates accredited in the Principality.

Monaco actively participates in the United Nations, which it joined in 1993. Monaco also is a member of many international and intergovernmental organisations, including Interpol, UNESCO, and WHO. The International Hydrographic Bureau (IHB) is headquartered in Monaco and the IAEA has its Marine Environment Laboratories there.

Although not a member of the European Union (EU), Monaco is closely associated with the economic apparatus of the EU through its customs union with France and its reliance upon the Euro (French franc before January 1999) as its official currency.

Military

Monaco has no army or air force, but has a small coast guard consisting of three small patrol boats armed with small cannons. Security is provided by a small armed police force consisting of between three and four hundred men and women. Defence of the nation is provided by France. The United States also shares responsibility for the national security of Monaco.

The Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince (Prince's Company of Carabiniers) is the military force of Monaco. Although Monaco's defence is the responsibility of France, it maintains a small force for the protection of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco. It was formed by Prince Honoré IV in 1817 for the protection of the Principality. The company numbers approximately 100 officers and men - while the NCOs and soldiers are local, the officers have generally served in the French Army. Together with the local fire service, the Carabiniers form Monaco's total public forces. In addition to their guard duties, the company patrols the Principality's beaches and coastal waters, as well as other duties around the Palace in Monaco-Ville.

The Palace is guarded by two officers and eight Carabiniers around the clock. The guard is changed every day at 12 o'clock, announced by the company's section of eight trumpeters.

The military has a band (Fanfare) consisting of 27 musicians; within the main band a small variety orchestra and a brass ensemble (for religious music) have been formed. The military band performs public concerts and also plays at official occasions, sports events and international military music festivals.

An antecedent of the Palace guards was the company known in the 19th century as the "Papalins", former soldiers of the Papal States who, upon the destitution of the Papacy's temporal authority at the time of the Italian Unification, were given a role in the Prince of Monaco's protection. A road in the Fontvieille suburb of Monaco is named after the "Papalins".