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The Didier Guillaume Method

Didier Guillaume intends to be at the forefront of sensitive issues such as the Gafi grey list.
The new Minister of State has announced measures for the summer of 2025, sealing the
fate of the Fontvieille shopping centre, future centre for waste treatment, and housing for
Monegasques.

His words are frank and some would say his
tone refreshing. Since his arrival at Place de la
Visitation in early September, Didier Guillaume
has been promoting a new dynamic, setting
himself apart from his predecessors as prefect
or diplomat. A former minister and senator, the
Minister of State is a master of the political
game and the punchline. The 65-year-old from
the Drôme region of France, and a close friend
of Renaud Muselier, was quick to take a swipe
at the SNCF when it announced the works that
would be particularly hard on commuters. His
appointment, like that of other Frenchmen
to positions of authority, has given rise to
“a feeling of going backwards and a loss © Direction de la Communication
of sovereignty” among the population and
elected representatives? Didier Guillaume is
very quick to restore the situation. Monaco
is a state governed by the rule of law, led by blows - and to play the interdepartmental place the Principality on its own list of non-
the Sovereign, a state that operates on its and ministerial solidarity card to the full. “It’s cooperative countries by the end of 2024.
own without thinking that it would be placed essential for our major challenges. When
under tutelage,” thunders the new Minister. The things are done well, we have to congratulate Key announcements before the summer
arrival of Lionel Beffre (Government Councillor- every Minister-Counselor. When they’ve done of 2025
Minister of the Interior, Editor's note) and mine, badly they’ll have to come and yell at me – Before the start of the October budget debates,
and I'm not talking about the judiciary here that’s teamwork. I’ll take full responsibility Didier Guillaume announced to the elected
because there is a separation of powers, are for the work we do. A former member of representatives that he was starting from
the Sovereign's choices”, he declared at his first parliament, the Minister reaffirmed his respect scratch on the thorny issues of the Fontvieille
press conference in September. He went on for elected representatives, while stressing shopping centre and the waste treatment and
to point out that “Monaco's strength lies in its the balance of power: “National councelors recovery centre: in other words, the two issues
ability to develop itself independently (...) We have the authority of those who voted for that have created major tensions between the
must be careful not to give the impression that them, while the Government is legitimate government and the National Council in recent
Monaco is the only country in the world that has because it is the Sovereign who chose them. months. “We have three versions of the project
been able to develop itself endogenously”. Be These are both legitimate, one is not stronger for restructuring the shopping centre, and it’s
careful not to make people believe otherwise. than the other, both must work together.” And time to make a firm decision”, he said, targeting
Unless, perhaps a wish to change the model, work there is. Didier Guillaume has now got a decision before the summer of 2025. The
the Constitution. This would be a tragedy for down to business. The first sensitive issue: Minister promised not to be dogmatic where
the country and the future of the Monegasque getting Monaco off the Gafi's grey list. “Like waste treatment is concerned. There is no
people”, says the senior civil servant, who at the end of a match, there’s a winner and a question of making waste governance a matter
intends to take the front line in place of the loser. We’re on the winning side, and that’s our of principle. He indicated: “We might choose to
Prince, who has been forced into the arena all objective. Soccer matches last 90 minutes; treat waste elsewhere if it is legally possible”.
too often of late. “I'm here to help and protect our match lasts 18 months. Whatever the Didier Guillaume announced the end of the first
the Prince. To put my head in the rucks, as they reforms and stages, Monaco is solid. We’re national housing plan for Monegasques, which
say in rugby. I'm not a Minister of State who making progress in the negotiations and aimed to build 1,831 apartments by 2033. “At
is a spectator,” he assured Monaco-Matin. we’re going to respond to all their questions,” the request of the Sovereign we are going to
announced the Minister with confidence. close this first Plan and reflect on a National
Taking responsibility After the Moneyval and Greco reports, and Plan, perhaps more pragmatic and efficient”.
He intends to shoulder the responsibilities their batch of recommendations we should This second version will also be presented
called for by his position - including the know whether the European Union will also before the summer of 2025. Ambitious.

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