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Summer ends, energy crisis begins                                                              by Milena Radoman


              Faced with a decline in purchasing power and the impact of the energy crisis, the executive has announced a
              timetable of measures.


              “We are in a difficult and complex context.   on average salaries €650 (+€150) and the   the coming weeks. All hypotheses are
              Monaco  must  take  this  into  account,   highest-paid €450 (+€100), which represents   currently being considered for a “control of
              because the Principality is not cut off   an overall envelope of €7.7million for the   consumption” synonymous with sobriety:
              from the world.” During his beginning-of-  state in 2022. The government does not have   reduction of public street lighting, limitation
              September press conference, the Minister   control over employers but it “encourages   of heating in public buildings and other
              of State, Pierre Dartout, announced the   social dialogue with the social partners,   energy-saving measures “in consultation
              government measures taken to combat a   by sector and by company, to find good   with businesses.”
              sluggish economic situation with meteoric   solutions.” It remains to be seen whether the
              inflation, which “has the effect of eroding   executive will be listened to by employers.  For the long-term prosperity of the country this
              the purchasing power of working and retired                              time, another action plan is being finalised to
              people,” and the energy crisis. The first   Price cap plan               boost attractiveness, under the supervision
              government boost is aimed at the public   Another measure to come are measures to   of Frédéric Genta, County Chief Officer for
              sector: the salaries of state and municipal   shield consumers from the energy crisis.   Attractiveness and the Digital Transition. A
              civil servants, as well as those of hospital   For the Minister of State, the increase in   “priority subject” for the government, it will
              staff, were increased by 3.5% in September,   energy prices was “very moderate” for the   be presented soon. “You should never rest
              the third increase this year, after +1.2% in   Principality in 2022 but this is not set to last.   on your laurels, specially in a global context
              January and +2% in July. The lowest-paid in   “There will be an increase, not too different   where, due to the crisis, competitors can fight
              the civil service will also benefit at the end   from what France is announcing, which will   even harder and more effectively,” insists Pierre
              of 2022 from a bonus of €850 (+€200), those   mean that there will be a substantial effort to   Dartout. In what way? “It’s about bringing
                                                                     be made to finance   employees closer in terms of where they live
                                                                     it. The Principality   and their workplace. We have progress to
                                                                     is closely linked to   make in the housing of our working people
                                                                     France in terms of   – the mayors of neighbouring communes are
                                                                     energy, in particular   aware of this.” The optimisation of mobility
                                                                     through the supply   is also at the heart of the reflection, with the
                                                                     of  electricity,  but   examination of various transport projects
                                                                     also  through  the   such as maritime shuttles, a metro or cable
                                                                     fact that there is an   cars. “We must ask ourselves of our choices:
                                                                     objective  to  have   are they relevant? On a technical level and on
                                                                     comparable tariffs.”   a budgetary level? This is what will allow us
                                                                     An energy- saving   to distinguish what can be done in the short
                                                                     plan  should  also   term and what should be done in the medium
                                                                     be put in place in   and long term.”





                                                                        Amending Budget 2022

                                                                        The 2022 amending budget, with a surplus of €8.8 million, was
                                                                        to be adopted on 18 October. “We are relying on the economic
                                                                        dynamics in the Principality, reflected this year in the hotel and
                                                                        catering sector but also in other sectors, which allows us to
                                                                        have significant tax and VAT income,” justifies the Minister of
                                                                        State. «This allows us both to assume a number of additional
                                                                        expenses as well as structural expenses, particularly in terms
                                                                        of equipment.» Thus, €208 million will have been disbursed in
 Le Grand Prix de Monaco est finalement bien intégré au calendrier de la prochaine saison de Formule 1.   The Monaco Grand Prix is now well and truly a fixture on the calendar of the next Formula 1 season. Before   2022 for the National Housing Plan and the construction of
 Avant cette officialisation, le ministre d’Etat avait lâché devant la presse qu’«un championnat du monde   this was made formal, the Minister of State had told the press that «a world championship without Monaco   1,690 state housing units.
 sans Monaco ne serait pas un championnat du monde…»  would not be a world championship.”



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