Monaco
Small sovereign state forming an enclave in S France, with the Mediterranean
Sea to the south.
Government
Under the 1911 constitution, modified 1917 and largely rewritten 1962,
Monaco is a hereditary principality, but an earlier concept of
endowing the prince with a divine right to rule has been deleted.
Legislative power is shared between the prince and a single-chamber
national council, with 18 members elected by universal suffrage
for a five -year term. Executive power is formally vested in the
prince but in practice is exercised by a four- member council
of government.
France is closely involved in the government of Monaco, providing
a civil servant, of the prince's choosing, to head its council
of government. Agreements between France and Monaco state that
Monaco will be incorporated into France if the reigning prince
dies without a male heir.
History
Formerly part of the Roman Empire, Monaco became a Genoese possession
in the 12th century and has been ruled since 1297 by the Grimaldi
family. It was a Spanish protectorate 1542-1641, then came under
French protection and during the French revolution was annexed
by France. The ruling family was imprisoned (one was guillotined)
but regained power after the 1814 Treaty of Paris. In 1815 Monaco
became a protectorate of Sardinia but reverted to French protection
1861. In 1940 it was occupied by Italy and in 1943 by Germany
but was liberated 1945. Prince Rainier III came to the throne
1949 and a male heir, Prince Albert, was born 1958. In May 1993
Monaco became a full member of the United Nations, having held
observer status since 1955.
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