Monaco, one of Europe’s last remaining sovereign principalities, has a legislative process that combines elected representation with significant monarchical authority. While the National Council debates and votes on proposed laws, it is ultimately the Prince who determines whether legislation becomes legally binding.
Step 1: Proposal and Initiative
Legislation in Monaco can originate in two ways. Most commonly, bills are proposed by the government, which operates under the authority of the Prince. The National Council, Monaco’s elected parliament, can also submit proposals – known as propositions de loi – but these require the government’s approval before becoming formal bills.
This dual system gives the Prince and his ministers substantial influence over which matters reach the parliamentary floor. In practice, bills that conflict with the Prince’s vision or constitutional principles are often modified or withdrawn before a vote.
Step 2: Parliamentary Debate and Vote
Once a bill reaches the National Council, deputies deliberate and vote. A simple majority is generally required for passage, though the specific rules depend on the type of law. The National Council can amend government-proposed bills, negotiate compromises, and submit recommendations.
However, even a bill passed with near-unanimous support does not automatically become law. The National Council’s vote is a necessary, but not sufficient, step in the process.
Step 3: Sanction and Promulgation by the Prince
After parliamentary approval, a bill is sent to the Prince for sanction and promulgation. Only with the Prince’s formal approval does the text acquire legal validity. Promulgation, the subsequent step, publishes the law in Monaco’s official journal, the Journal de Monaco, making it enforceable.
In constitutional terms, the law requires “the agreement of wills of the Prince and the National Council.” This arrangement means the Prince retains a de facto veto: he can refuse to sanction or promulgate legislation, halting it regardless of parliamentary approval.
Step 4: Publication and Enforcement
Once promulgated, laws take effect from the day following publication in the official journal, unless the text specifies otherwise. At that point, the law is binding on citizens and enforceable by the courts.
A Rare Exercise of Monarchical Power
While the Prince’s formal authority has long existed, it is rarely exercised publicly. Most bills passed by the National Council receive sanction without incident. However, Prince Albert refused to sign a bill that would have legalised abortion, demonstrating that Monaco’s monarchy retains genuine legislative influence – a feature almost unique in modern Europe.
The system reflects Monaco’s constitutional identity: a blend of democratic deliberation and hereditary authority, with the Prince acting as both head of state and ultimate arbiter of law. For residents and observers alike, the process underscores that in Monaco, legislation is not solely the product of elected representatives – the sovereign still holds the final word.
