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ational Council: The Roadmap for the New Mandate

by Milena Radoman
he new team at the ational Council was uick to announce its roadmap. otably on the menu: the
agreement with the European Union; gender equality, and urban mobility.

After the unsurprising election result, marked Christine Pasquier-Ciulla is now President, taking prison) for any health professional performing
by a record abstention of more than 42%, a advantage of March 8 to set the mandate’s an abortion on the territory. This major act is not
new mandate has started for the 24 elected objective “to achieve equal pay”. And for good reimbursed by the social security fund: if you
members of the National Council. President reason. Today, compared to global average wish to have an abortion as a Monaco citizen
Brigitte Boccone-Pagès has chosen to appoint salaries, “Monaco is (certainly) a star pupil with or resident, you must pay a minimum of €480
tenors of Monegasque politics, known for their a gap of 5.9% in favour of men. If we compare in cash (this can go up to €2,000 according to
verve and outspokenness, to key positions. Monaco to OECD countries, the Principality would practitioners). In other words, abortion in Monaco
Jean-Louis Grinda takes on the role of Vice- be in 10th place, far ahead of the OECD average, is a triple injustice: it’s shameful; it may only
President for the Monegasque National Union, which is 12.6%. On the other hand, men are better be practiced in a neighbouring country; and it’s
while lawyer Christine Pasquier-Ciulla, who is paid concerning average gross monthly salaries expensive,” said Juliette Rapaire. We will see if
returning to the assembly, chairs the Committee (28.5%) and on average hourly wages (20.9%), this thorny issue in Monaco, a Catholic state, will
on Family Rights and Equality. A way of pointing which suggests room for improvement. By way come back to the assembly during this mandate.
out the priorities of the mandate, notably good of comparison in the PACA region, men have an
management and transparency of public funds average hourly wage that is 17.3% higher than H ma or issue: urope
(Grinda’s hobby horse) and gender equality. This women,” analyses Céline Cottalorda, Women’s “We will be there to see that Monaco does
distribution of roles is logical for the National Rights Officer. not bow down; we will be there to protect our
Union. Succeeding Stéphane Valeri who had Another delicate project is to appoint the national community from any attack on our
initiated this coalition, the new president is status of “head of household” for women in the genetic make-up; we will be there to defend
aware that she will have to prove her “ability to private sector. Although this status is applied each constituent element of our economic and
unite” for the coming 5 years. This is also the to female civil servants and State employees, social model step by step; our model is envied
reason that Béatrice Fresko-Rolfo, formerly self-employed and private sector workers are not by many, and sometimes misunderstood.”
with Horizon Monaco, is entrusted with the entitled to it. Christine Pasquier hopes that this In the first speech of her mandate, Brigitte
chairmanship of the Parliamentary Assembly issue, which requires negotiation with France Boccone-Pagès repeated her support for
of the Council of Europe. in order to develop the Franco-Monegasque the famous “red lines” established within the
Other major changes within the Assembly: convention, will move forward quickly. negotiation of an agreement with the European
Franck Julien rises in rank to chairman of the The fight against domestic violence will also be Union. Just like Régis Bergonzi, who delivered
Finance and National Economy Committee, a priority. Bill 1074, providing for the creation a clear position on current negotiations with
Franck Lobono leaves Housing to take over the of a compensation fund for victims of criminal the European Union: “Our participation in
Social Affairs Committee, Guillaume Rose is in offences, “is the first text that my committee will the common market is the issue here. The
charge of Culture, Nathalie Amoratti-Blanc heads study. This will serve all victims (men, women 4 freedoms of movement - Goods, People,
Environment and Quality of Life, and Fabrice and children) but it is mainly aimed at women Services and Capital - are all dogmas that our
Notari External Relations. Although Thomas and children who are victims of violence. It will partner could insist on. From Monaco’s point of
Brezzo (logically) keeps Legislation, former enable the State to act by surrogation for the view, the pure and simple application of these
Head of the Bar Régis Bergonzi will lead the aggressor to compensate victims. This will be a principles to our country would mean its end.
European file. Will he champion the rebellious big step forward” explained Christine Pasquier- (…) With an average cost of 52,000 euros per
position of independent professions, or will he Ciulla to Monaco-Matin, who will also work m², almost no ‘normal’ Monegasque would
take off his corporate cap? For the rest, Mathilde on maternity leave benefits for self-employed live in the Principality without preferring to
Le Clerc is in charge of Youth, Maryse Battaglia women and modifications to divorce law, with emigrate to France. The national priority for
of Housing, Nicolas Croési of Technology, and a possible introduction no-fault divorce. In an employment is not an egotistical request from
Christophe Brico will monitor the Constitutional interview with the local newspaper, the MP did a population concerned about its privileges; it
Reserve Fund. It should be noted that the new not hide that she hoped, on a personal level, enables the ‘normal’ population to remain in
Administration has conserved the system of “that one day, abortion can be carried out in their country, whereas 3/4 of Monaco’s working
committee vice-presidents initiated by former Monaco”. A statement that echoes the silent population would be impacted by questioning
President Laurent Nouvion. demonstration organized on 8 March by Juliette this rule, which is a dirty word in Europe. Our
Rapaire, feminist candidate for the New Ideas social services system would also have to
Gender equality is a priority for the new for Monaco (NIM) party in the last elections. “In be rethought because it is based on criteria
mandate Monaco, abortion is only accessible to women of nationality which is totally prohibited in
The women’s rights commission gives way to who have it abroad because in the Principality, Europe. (…) The English have a proverb that
the new Family Rights and Equality Committee. the law maintains sanctions (five to ten years in you shouldn’t fix something that isn’t broken.

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