Day: 31 March 2025

In a dramatic court ruling that sent shockwaves through French politics, far-right leader Marine Le Pen has been handed a five-year ban from public office and a four-year prison sentence after being convicted of embezzling European Union funds, effectively ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race – unless she can successfully appeal.

The decision, announced by a Paris court on Monday 31st March, marks a defining moment in France’s political landscape. Le Pen, a three-time presidential candidate and head of the National Rally (RN), had consistently led opinion polls for the 2027 election. Now, she faces a four-year prison term – two years suspended, two to be served under house arrest – and a €100,000 fine. Although the sentence and fine are subject to appeal, the political ban takes immediate effect under a provisional enforcement order.

Le Pen, 56, was convicted of orchestrating a scheme that misused over €4 million of European Parliament funds, with the court stating that the operation was designed to reduce the RN’s party expenses by diverting EU resources. The judge, Benedicte de Perthuis, declared Le Pen was “at the heart” of the operation and dismissed the defence’s argument that the issue was a matter of administrative oversight.

Her departure from the courtroom before the sentencing was read only added to the drama, with Le Pen offering no immediate reaction. However, her legal team confirmed an appeal would be filed. Meanwhile, RN president Jordan Bardella condemned the ruling as an attack on democracy, a sentiment echoed by far-right allies across Europe, including Italy’s Matteo Salvini and Hungary’s Viktor Orban.

Despite the conviction, Le Pen retains her seat in the National Assembly, where the RN remains the largest single party. Her term is expected to run until 2029 unless early elections are called. Still, her absence from the 2027 presidential race reshapes the field dramatically, possibly elevating Bardella as the RN’s new standard-bearer. Analysts say the ban is a “seismic political event” that may realign the French right and test the RN’s long-standing ambitions to take power.

While some political opponents welcomed the verdict as a demonstration of judicial integrity, others expressed a preference to defeat Le Pen through electoral means.

Monaco Life is produced by a team of real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Photo of Marine Le Pen at court in France on 31st March. Credit: Free Malaysia Today

In a key step towards implementing the recommendations of the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption body GRECO, the Principality of Monaco held the first official meeting of its newly formed Steering Committee on 28th March. The gathering, chaired by Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and acting Minister of State, marks the latest move in Monaco’s broader efforts to enhance transparency, accountability and integrity within public institutions in the Principality.

The creation of this high-level committee follows GRECO’s Fifth Evaluation Cycle, which culminated in a critical report released in July 2024. The report commended Monaco for its early efforts, such as the introduction of an ethics officer, the formation of a risk mapping strategy and a draft whistleblower law, but also called for stronger oversight of high-ranking officials, more clearly defined regulations on employment after leaving public office and improved transparency in the operations of both the police force and the activities conducted under the authority of Prince Albert II of Monaco.

The newly established Steering Committee, formed by Sovereign Ordinance No. 11.092 on 18th February, is responsible for developing a comprehensive anti-corruption strategy tailored to Monaco’s institutional framework. This includes identifying targeted actions to implement GRECO’s recommendations. Composed of senior representatives from the judiciary, the police, the public administration and the offices of the Prince and Minister of State, the committee is set to deliver its first progress report by the end of 2025.

“Monaco remains committed to advancing its anti-corruption legislation in line with its institutional framework,” said the government in an official statement released on 28th March. “This dedication aligns with over a decade of consistent efforts and improvements in anti-corruption measures as part of previous GRECO evaluation cycles.”

During this inaugural session, Berro-Amadeï reiterated the significance of the committee’s mandate, describing it as “central to delivering concrete progress” and reinforcing Monaco’s commitment to transparency and public integrity. This builds on January’s meeting, where the committee adopted a detailed reform roadmap and dashboard to guide anti-corruption efforts through 2025.

With experts such as Marc Segonds and Gilles Duteil advising on the strategy, the Steering Committee is poised to lead Monaco’s institutional response to GRECO’s findings. Central to its mission will be not only the development of new legislative tools, but also the promotion of a stronger culture of ethics and accountability across all levels of government and law enforcement.

Read related:

Monaco defines anti-corruption priorities and sets 2025 timeline for GRECO reforms

Monaco Life is produced by a team of real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Photo credit: Stéphane Danna / Monaco Communications Department

The Principality’s civil service is dominated by people who were born outside of Monaco and who continue to live beyond its borders, according to a new report by IMSEE that reveals a perhaps surprising picture of the men and women who keep the Principality running smoothly.

French citizens made up a remarkable 70% of Monaco’s civil service in 2024, with just one in four civil servants holding Monegasque citizenship. The balance remains in France’s favour when it comes to residency too: almost 60% of the workforce reported living across the border last year — 23% in one of the French communes that neighbour the Principality — while just over 40% were Monaco residents.

There were 5,226 civil servants on Monaco’s books last year, a slight increase of 73 employees compared to the previous year. The vast majority of these workers are employed in Government Administration, which accounts for a full 75% of the workforce. Of these, 40% were employed by the Ministry of the Interior, while the Ministry of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development follows as the second-largest employer, accounting for 15% of civil servants. The Ministry of State rounds out the top three with 7%, with the remaining workforce distributed among the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.

Outside this branch, the Municipality was the next biggest employer, representing 14% of the civil service’s workers. The Prince’s Palace employed 4%, while the Justice Department engaged 3%. The final 3% were simply classified as ‘Other’ in the report, which can be accessed here.

The gender divide among workers was slightly in favour of men, who make up 56% of the civil service, while women comprise 44%. The average age of a Monegasque civil servant is 43.5, with women being slightly older than their male counterparts at 43.8 years of age versus 43.2, respectively.

Read related:

Monaco’s job market thrives as private sector employment soars

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

Photo source: Mairie de Monaco