Monaco

The three branches

Head of State — The Sovereign Prince

Holds sovereign power; legislation requires his agreement and judicial power is delegated in his name.

Executive — Minister of State and Government Council

The Minister of State heads the administration under the Prince’s authority.

Legislative — National Council

Twenty-four members elected for five years; shares legislative initiative with the Prince.

Judicial — Courts and the Directorate of Judicial Services

Judicial power is delegated by the Prince; many senior judges are French magistrates.

Local — Communal Council

A single commune administers local affairs, headed by the Mayor.

How legislation is made

A bill may be initiated by the Prince or proposed by the National Council. Government bills are laid before the Council, examined in committee and voted; adoption requires the agreement of both the Prince and the Council. The Prince then promulgates the law by sovereign ordinance and it is published in the Journal de Monaco.

Enforcement institutions

Direction des Services Judiciaires

Administers the justice system under the Prince’s authority.

Parquet général

The public prosecutor’s office, which conducts criminal prosecutions.

Sûreté Publique

The police force; Monaco has one of the highest ratios of officers to residents in the world.