Politics Crisis in Monaco - Head of government cancels before taking office
In the Principality of Monaco, plagued by an affair involving corruption and influence peddling, the new head of government appointed by Prince Albert II, Philippe Mettoux, has canceled his appointment a week before taking office. The French top official (66) explained his decision in a statement following various talks in the principality, saying that attempts had already been made in advance to prevent him from successfully carrying out his duties. He was due to take up his post as Minister of State on July 4.
27.06.2025, 18:41
SDA
There are already "negative and opposing forces at work" that "perpetuate the archaic practices of the past and prevent me from fulfilling the task entrusted to me by Prince Albert", the statement continued. It had unfortunately become clear to him "that I will not have the necessary leverage to open the new chapter that the Prince has called for".
Prince Albert II asked interim head of government Isabelle Berro-Amadeï to remain in office for the time being. The government of Monaco stated that it regretted "the malicious statements made in the press and on social networks, whose sole aim is to damage Monaco's image and reputation".
Legal-media mud-slinging
Since the publication of a dossier with anonymous allegations against former confidants of the Prince in 2021, there has been a legal-media mud fight and an avalanche of investigations in Monaco. The former confidants are accused of embezzlement. They, in turn, denounce the alleged influence of a well-known real estate magnate on decisions in Monaco, but are also accused of being too close to the magnate's competitors.
Most recently, the former President of the Supreme Court of Monaco and former confidant of the Prince, Didier Linotte, was placed under judicial supervision on Wednesday on suspicion of corruption, money laundering and influence peddling.
Shortcomings in the fight against financial crime
The financial center of Monaco is considered a playground for the wealthy and super-rich and has long been a tax haven. However, Monaco has long been accused of doing too little to combat money laundering and financial crime. At the beginning of June, the European Commission included the Principality on a list of countries with strategic deficiencies in this area.
