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Month: January 2023

Stéphane Valeri takes on role as head of SBM

by: Stephanie Horsman
25/01/2023

Former National Council President Stéphane Valeri has officially taken over as CEO of Monaco’s biggest company, the Société des Bains de Mer.

As outgoing CEO Jean-Luc Biamonti announced in a meeting with staff last week, his resignation had been brought forward by just over two months. A Board of Directors meeting held on Tuesday at the Hôtel Hermitage confirmed Stéphane Valeri as its director.

A graduate of the ESCP Business School in 1986, Stéphane Valeri chaired the National Council from 2003 to 2010 and again from 2018 to 2022.

He served as Monaco’s Minister of Social Affairs and Health from 2010 to 2017, and notably led the reform of private sector pensions and the establishment of remote working.

His honours include Commander of the Order of Saint-Charles and officer of the Legion of Honour.

“I take up my new duties with pride, within this great company to which my family and I have been very attached for several generations,” said Valeri in a statement. “Thanks to the work of my predecessor, Jean-Luc Biamonti, to whom I would like to pay tribute, the Société des Bains de Mer is today in a very good economic and financial situation. I thank the Board of Directors for their confidence. I measure the magnitude of the task ahead of me and I am fully committed now to continue to make the economic flagship of the Principality prosper and shine.”

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Photo source: Stephane Valeri Facebook page

Further pension reform strikes planned for 31st January

by: Stephanie Horsman
25/01/2023

In protest at plans to up the retirement age and overhaul the pensions system, French unions are joining forces for another round of strike action at the end of this month.  

France wouldn’t be France without striking workers. The protests the country experienced just last week, which caused huge, nationwide disruption to travel networks, are in line with a kind of collective philosophy that people should speak out for what they believe in, or in the case of the planned strikes on 31st January, what they believe is wrong.  

President Emmanuel Macron’s planned pension reforms, which will raise the retirement age to 64 from 62, have struck a nerve with the population. Unions set themselves firmly against the changes immediately after the initial announcement, and challenges began on 19th January when an estimated 1.12 million workers stepped out in protest.   

Unions such as the CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, CFTC, UNSA, Solidaires, and FSU are again calling on all members to walk out on 31st January, and the transport and education unions have already made their declarations to join. A full list of participants will become clearer in the coming days.  

“One thing is certain, we will be there again on 31st January to face the government and its reform,” the national secretary of the French Communist Party, Fabien Roussel, said on RTL the day after the last strike.  

The date of 31st January has not been randomly chosen. It is will be one day after the arrival in parliament of the official text laying out the reforms.  

Locally, strikes are being planned in Nice at 10am at the Jardins Albert 1er. Other actions in the region include those in Toulon, Marseille, Draguignan and Brignoles.  

 

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Photo source: CGT/Facebook 

 

Baptiste Serin: “Lots of people are rallying around rugby in Monaco”

by: Luke Entwistle
25/01/2023

Graced by the presence of Toulon scrum-half Baptiste Serin and prominent members of the Monégasque rugby community, AS Monaco Rugby began 2023 with a signal of intent. 

During Tuesday’s event in Monaco, there was an unshakeable feeling that the sport is on a positive trajectory. Serin, who has once captained the France national team, and the SuperSevens trophy, won by the Monaco Rugby Sevens late last year, were both in the same room as AS Monaco Rugby heralded a New year that holds a lot of promise. 

Following their promotion to the Fédérale 2 last season, the club are currently on course to achieve their objective of ensuring their place of maintaining in the division for next season. However, the club’s president, Thomas Riqué, as well as the Monaco Rugby Federation are already setting their sights higher. Currently competing at the highest amateur level, the club are hoping to break into the professional game before too long. 

Importantly, there is great support behind the sport in the Principality, and whilst it is the Sevens team that currently receive the accolades, the Principality’s Rugby Union side are hoping to follow in their wake towards success. Serin, who plays just down the coast at Toulon, lent his support to the club on Tuesday and explained why in an exclusive interview with Monaco Life.

Monaco Life: Can you explain your collaboration with AS Monaco Rugby and why you are giving your support to the club through your presence at this event?

Baptiste Serin: Last year, the president asked me to come to a partner evening but I hurt my shoulder and had to undergo an operation just a few days before so I couldn’t honour my presence. This year was a good opportunity to come and have a good time. We have all followed the Monaco Rugby Seven’s story so it was a great chance for me to give a nod to rugby in Monaco, also with AS Monaco Rugby’s promotion into the Fédérale 2.

Despite the Principality being famous for many other sports, do you nonetheless feel there is a positive momentum behind rugby in Monaco?

I come from Bordeaux so I know, like there, that it’s football, football, football. It’s good that rugby is beginning to develop. There are lots of people rallying around rugby in Monaco, supporting and encouraging it, which is good. I wanted to come and give a nod to what they are all doing, and to show that what the players are doing is good. Even if I’m not far, it’s not too many kilometres to Toulon, it’s important to be here.

Does the drop-off of neighbouring fallen giant Nice also give Monaco a bit more space to grow?

It’s nice to have more clubs in the region. There is Toulon, Nice, and Hyères Carqueiranne as well, and it’s important that there is space there for Monaco as well. It is a club that is growing and has a lot of strong people around the project. I feel as though there is momentum. Today there are important people here, and people that are investing their money to help the good grow so it’s good. I think they also have the support of many clubs around them.

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Photo by AS Monaco Rugby

 

 

 

France record holder Jimmy Gressier to return to Monaco Run

by: Luke Entwistle
25/01/2023

Jimmy Gressier, who holds the record for the quickest Frenchman over five kilometres, will participate once again in the Monaco Run, where his initial record was set.

Gressier returns to the Principality, three years after setting his record. In 2020, the French athlete ran a 13:18, at the time a European record. Italian runner Yemaneberhan Crippa has since beaten that record, but the time is still the fastest ran by a Frenchman over a five-kilometre distance. He will be hoping to improve upon his record on his return to Monaco early next month.

The Monaco Run, which recently obtained the World Athletics Label returns on Sunday, February 12th and will begin in Port Hercule, running almost the entire length of the Principality on its way to the Monte-Carlo Bay. It is the first time in three years that the event will take place without Covid-related disruption.

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Photo by Monaco Run

Truffle day at the Marché de Monte-Carlo

by: Stephanie Horsman
25/01/2023

It’s prime truffle and chestnut season in the region, and the Marché de Monte-Carlo is celebrating both of these winter favourites with a special market in early February.  

A day featuring these two gourmet treats will be coming to the Principality on 4th February as the market, found on Boulevard des Moulins, hosts sellers of locally sourced chestnuts alongside that most prized tuber, the truffle. Coming primarily from Aups, a town in the Var known for its medieval streets and truffle forests, stands selling the tuber melanosporum will be open to the public from 7.30am to 2pm.  

At 10am, a live cooking demonstration will also be held where a chef will be whipping up a brouillade and panisse à la truffle.  

Truffles can be eaten in a variety of ways, from finely grated into pasta dishes, infused in oil, whipped into eggs or thinly sliced atop a beautiful salad.  

Alongside the truffle pedlars will be vendors offering tastings and sales of warming, roasted chestnuts, chestnut creams and chestnut liqueurs.  

Admission is free and open to all, so come hungry and with a full wallet… Truffles don’t come cheap!  

 

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Photo credit: Michael Tri Wijaya for Unsplash 

 

Prince Albert tests positive for Covid again, health is of “absolutely no concern”

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/01/2023

The Palace announced Tuesday afternoon that an asymptomatic Prince Albert II has contracted the Covid-19 virus for a third time.

Prince Albert has been on his usual whirlwind of public engagements this past week, including most recently the International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo with his children Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella on Sunday night and the Fight Aids Cup on Monday night.

Late Tuesday 24th January, the Palace released a statement that Prince Albert had tested positive for Covid that afternoon, however the Sovereign was in good health.

“Asymptomatic, his state of health is of absolutely no concern,” said the Palace. “He works remotely, in permanent contact with the members of his cabinet, his government as well as with his close collaborators.”

Monaco’s Prince and Head of State first contracted Covid-19 in March 2020, and again in April 2022 . He is in self-isolation for seven days, as per the rules currently in force in Monaco, and will therefore be unable to take part in the traditional Sainte Devote celebrations on Thursday 26th and Friday 27th January.

The Principality has experienced a significant decline in Covid cases over recent weeks, with the latest health figures showing that the incidence rate has dropped to just 43.

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SEE ALSO:

Covid latest: Three people in intensive care

Photo credit: Eric Mathon, Prince’s Palace