People for a better Monaco

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In his 2005 enthronement speech, HSH Albert II of Monaco promised a new era for the Principality. In the years since, his idealism has disappeared and despite manoeuvring Monaco off the grey list as a shady place, the Principality has about-faced.

The changes demanded today are for a modern society where ordinary citizens can take charge of their destiny. They can not do this under the present autocratic system. The Constitution speaks of dignity, rights, equality, promotion of Monegasques to jobs, their homes inviolable...etc. - the reality remains that foreigners are privileged, that the guaranteed separation of judiciary, legislative and administrative exists only in theory, and that seniors have been carted out of their homes, stripped of their wealth & citizenship before being checked into hospitals (in violation of Articles 18, 19, 20 & 21), to not name the rampant corruption among officials, the mishandling of funds and property of charitable organizations that lack impartial oversight. These crimes are absolved by the prince's discretionary power over the Supreme Court.

Finally, people are being siphoned by virtue that public revenue is channelled into the Budget then goes towards supporting the Sovereign Household and Palace expenses. The throne is contradicting itself in times of global recession, by exceeding budgets to maintain an unconscionable level of lifestyle further exacerbated by the current project of redoing the Palace, to name only one excess. Other contradictions leap out, such as the way the environmental policies of the prince and his foundation are flouted by His continued use of the Principality's airplane(s).

Freedom of speech, the right to publicly criticize without fear of retribution, is furthermore impeded by the non-existent freedom of the press. Monaco's revival in the 50s was largely due to savvy PR and the manipulation of the press, however control of the press today is the most obvious sign of absolutist power, akin to tyrannical regimes. This is Europe. This is the 21st century. Monaco cannot live next to the birthplace of rights and freedoms, and negate their existence by the clever use of Sovereign Ordinances that up-end the fair process of the social contract.

Together, let's join to ask HSH Albert II of Monaco to agree to:

1 - An international review committee of the Constitution, to allow a clearer separation of powers and decentralization.

2 - To allow the press to accurately report on Monaco, according to the official standards in journalism.

3 - To suspend expenses until Monaco's fiscal picture is in balance.

4 - To allow breadth in the choices of officials, and to implement greater transparency and criteria.

5 - To set aside a budget for ordinary citizens to help improve their livelihood and general opportunities.

Failing these, we ask that HSH consider ceding power to allow Monaco to grow in the right direction.