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Day: 15 December 2023

Mayor of Monaco held in police custody following corruption allegations 

by: Elsa Carpenter
15/12/2023

Longtime Mayor of Monaco Georges Marsan has been reportedly arrested on suspicion of corruption along with four other individuals. 

The first rumours of Marsan’s arrest began at lunchtime on Thursday 14th December. By the evening, it had been confirmed by the Parquet Général that the six-time mayor, who was re-elected to the role he has held since 2003 in March of this year, and four other individuals had been taken into custody.  

Later that night, the local press announced that the five people in question would likely remain in police custody in Monaco for a further 24 hours. 

UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES? 

Marsan’s arrest has sent shock waves through the Principality. This appears to be the first time in history that a mayor of Monaco has been arrested whilst in office. 

Very little is known about the reasons why Marsan and the others were taken into custody, and no formal comment relating to the matter had been made by the Mairie de Monaco or the Prince’s Government of Monaco as of 1.30pm on Friday 15th December.  

According to Monaco Matin, “all of these people are being interviewed within the framework of a letter rogatory issued by Monegasque investigating judges… If serious and consistent evidence makes it likely that they could have participated in an offense, as perpetrator or accomplice, they are likely to be charged (indicted under French law) by the investigating judges”. 

Another local French language media outlet, France 3, has indicated that the arrests are related to an investigation into “corruption, influence peddling and money laundering”. The media has also suggested that the allocations of premises within the Condamine Market, a flagship element of Marsan’s mayoral campaign, could be in some way involved. 

Marsan’s last public appearance prior to his arrest is believed to have been at the Hôtel de Paris for the Action Innocence event.  

The city hall’s Première Adjointe, Camille Svara, has reportedly taken on the responsibilities of the mayor during his time in police custody.  

 

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Photo source: Viktor Hesse, Unsplash

France: New €100 per month “social leasing” programme to widen access to electric vehicles

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/12/2023

Under an innovative new scheme designed to help lower income families transition to electric vehicles, the French government is offering certain households the opportunity to lease a range of transportation for just €100 a month. Here are all the details.  

As part of its national strategy to cut emissions, the French government has launched a pioneering new programme called Mon Leasing Electrique.  

The scheme essentially offers a long-term leasing contract of a 100% electric vehicle at a very modest cost. According to the government, applicants who fit the conditions could pay €100 or less for a vehicle every month for a period of three years. After that, the contract holder can either return the vehicle or buy it for the residual amount.  

Mon Leasing Electrique will be up and running from 1st January 2024, but those intrigued by the programme can already register their interest online.

WHO CAN APPLY? 

The programme is targeting low-income households who would otherwise be unlikely to be able to afford to buy an electric vehicle.  

To be suitable for the programme, the individual apply must: have a fixed address in France; live over 15 kilometres from their place of work and require a car to get there; travel at least 8,000 kilometres by car for work each year; and have an income tax reference of less than €15,400 per share. 

“An electric car at €100 per month was a commitment from the President [Emmanual Macron],” said Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne on social media. “From January 1st it will be a reality. Bringing the ecological transition into everyone’s daily life is ecological planning.”  

To find out more and to see if you are eligible for the scheme, click here. 

 

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Photo source: Jenny Ueberberg, Unsplash