New Party Takes Power in Monaco

Monaco held elections for its parliament, the 24-member National Council, on February 11. The Monaco City Hall recorded turnout at 70 percent, and the previous governing party, Horizon Monaco, fell from twenty seats to just two, while the new Priority Monaco party, under the leadership of Stéphane Valeri, won a massive majority of 21 seats. Valeri previously served as both president of the National Council and minister of health and social affairs. It is difficult to classify Monégasque political parties on a traditional left-right spectrum, partially due to the small size of the electorate and the popularity of the monarchy. All major political parties are monarchist and in favor of economic liberalism with the inclusion of certain conservative policies like low tax rates and social programs. Some analysts say that Valeri’s past as a reform-minded health minister points towards a willingness to adopt more ambitious social regimes in order to increase the quality of life and combat the fall in affordable housing in the country. During the campaign, Valeri emphasized Monégasque heritage, the role of casinos in the economy of Monaco, and both higher and trade education. However, critics branded him a a Eurosceptic for his opposition to a treaty with the European Union, which he said would give EU citizens an unfair advantage over native Monégasques.

Valeri officially took-over as president of the National Council on February 22, succeeding Christophe Steiner of Horizon Monaco.