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Month: October 2025

Laila Schlereth welcomed as Vice Honorary Consul of Austria at Club Suisse de Monaco reception

by: Cassandra Tanti
02/10/2025

The Club Suisse de Monaco, in collaboration with the Honorary Consulate of Austria in Monaco, hosted a special evening gathering last Thursday to officially introduce Laila Schlereth as the Principality’s new Vice Honorary Consul of the Republic of Austria.

Held on the panoramic terrace of club member Urs Fähndrich, the event welcomed around 120 guests, including Holocaust survivor Herbert Traube and French Ambassador to Monaco Jean d’Haussonville, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, and his wife Magdalena de Tornos.

Representing a life between cultures

Born to a German father and Egyptian mother, Laila Schlereth studied economics and law in Austria and has spent over three decades contributing to life in Monaco. A seasoned investor and entrepreneur in the hospitality and real estate sectors, she is also well known for her active involvement with the Yacht Club de Monaco, the International School of Monaco, and for co-founding the Monaco Oktoberfest.

“It is a great honour for me to serve in this role here in Monaco,” Schlereth said. “With roots in Germany, Egypt, Switzerland, and Austria, I want to build bridges — between people, cultures, and ideas. Monaco is a place of diversity, and I look forward to representing Austrians here with full commitment — while being part of this wonderful international family.”

Herbert Traube, a 101-year-old Holocaust survivor, was special guest

A living witness to history

One of the most moving moments of the evening came with the appearance of Herbert Traube, a 101-year-old Holocaust survivor originally from Vienna. Traube fled to France with his father before joining the French Foreign Legion and fighting in the Allied landing in Provence, later serving in Indochina. After his return to civilian life, he became deputy mayor of Sainte-Agnès above Menton.

“I am both French and Austrian, but above all, I am European,” he told the crowd — words met with long and heartfelt applause.

New faces and growing ties

The occasion also served to welcome eight new members to the Club Suisse de Monaco, including Schlereth herself, now a member in both personal and diplomatic capacities.

President of the Club, Dr Arik Röschke, praised the evening as a celebration of international unity: “We are not only celebrating a new role for Laila Schlereth, but also the diversity and vibrancy of our international community here in Monaco.”

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Photos provided

Condamine Market renovation: new details revealed for 2026 transition

by: Cassandra Tanti
02/10/2025

Monaco’s Mairie has unveiled fresh details of how La Condamine Market will operate during its 13-month renovation, including new wooden kiosks, large barnums, and rent-free arrangements to support traders through the transition.

During a press conference on 1st October, Mayor Georges Marsan confirmed that the building permit has been formally submitted, paving the way for works to begin in mid-January 2026. Traders will remain in the current hall through Christmas and New Year before moving to Place d’Armes for the duration of the project.

A temporary village at Place d’Armes

Unlike earlier announcements, the Mairie has now detailed the temporary set-up. Ten newly built wooden kiosks, fully fitted with professional equipment – from refrigerated displays to pizza ovens and sushi-ready cabins – will be installed to house restaurateurs. Other traders will operate under two large barnums, with free water, electricity and equipment provided. The Solis Bio boutique will also be relocated under one of these structures, while MC Retouches, the couturier, will move to Jardins d’Apolline rent-free.

The market’s fishmonger will be rehoused in a restored pavilion on Place d’Armes, while two long-serving businesses, the butcher and City Ongles, have opted for retirement. The bar “Le Zinc” will not return, with the council instead considering a fine wine merchant more in line with the market’s future direction.

Rendering of the temporary food hall, photo courtesy Mairie de Monaco

Support measures for traders

To minimise disruption, the council will exempt traders from paying rent at their temporary stalls. “With almost no charges, the impact of the works on their professional activity will be largely reduced,” said Deputy Mayor Marjorie Crovetto.

She also confirmed that seating capacity during the relocation will exceed current levels, with nearly 300 places available for customers under the main barnum and outdoors, with shading and rain protection under study.

Construction to follow strict environmental standards

François Lallemand, Deputy in charge of heritage projects, revealed that the site will be part of Monaco’s Bâtiments Durables Méditerranéens framework, ensuring rigorous environmental standards. Noise and dust will be monitored with sound sensors, while noisy works will be restricted to off-peak hours to protect neighbouring restaurants and residents.

Importantly, access to lifts and the underground car park will be maintained, and the temporary market will be adapted for people with reduced mobility.

A promise of continuity

“This project goes beyond simply moving traders to a square to carry out works,” said Mayor Marsan. “It is about recreating a dynamic and convivial place where life continues. The market is too important to Monaco to be put on pause.”

The renovated Condamine Market is expected to reopen in early 2027, promising a modernised space that preserves its historic spirit while meeting the needs of future generations.

See also: 

La Condamine Market renovation plans revealed: What to expect and when

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Main image source Mairie de Monaco

 

Football: Monaco beaten by Manchester City in UEFA Youth League

by: Luke Entwistle
01/10/2025
AS Monaco's Groupe Élite huddle for their team photo in La Turbie

AS Monaco suffered a second successive defeat in the UEFA Youth League, this time at the hands of Manchester City’s academy side, on Wednesday (3-5).

A combination of the ongoing U-20 FIFA World Cup, currently taking place in Chile, and the ongoing injury crisis, which as notably seen Pape Cabral promoted to the first-team, meant that it was a particularly young side that took to the pitch on a sodden afternoon in La Turbie.

Manchester City, regardless of those notable absences, were favourites for this encounter, especially given that, unlike Monaco, a handful of their players have earned first-team minutes. The club won their Youth League opener and are renowned, like Monaco, for their production line of elite talent, having brought players through such as Phil Foden, as well as now-Chelsea players Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia, Jamie Gittens, and Liam Delap, in recent years.

Monaco punished for passive first thirty minutes

In front of the onlooking Dmitry Rybolovlev, Thiago Scuro, and Carlos Avina, Les Monégasques struggled for large periods of the first half, failing to get out of their half and then eventually succumbing to the pressure. Djimi Traoré’s side went into half-time 3-1 down, but it could have been very different. The first major chance fell to Monaco and to Nacim Dendami, who could not reward Nahel Haddani’s run and ball across the box, lobbing over with the goal gaping.

The Principality club were quickly punished. Mahamadou Sangaré, who joined Manchester City from Paris Saint-Germain over the summer, leapt highest to head home his first of the day; it would not be his last. Six minutes later, Monaco were two down. This time is was Melvin Gomes who put a dangerous cross into his own net.

Manchester City’s Sangaré celebrates his second against Monaco. Photo credit: Luke Entwistle / Monaco Life

Demoralised, they then conceded their third. It was Sangaré again who won the penalty and then converted it. “We can’t keep retreating, we needed to apply pressure, and that is what we lacked. Maybe we should have done that sooner,” admitted Traoré post-match, speaking to Monaco Life.

Les Monégasques did get one back before half-time, with Haddani getting the goal his performance deserved, sticking the ball home a second time after his initial effort hit both posts.

Traoré evokes a “difference in level” between Monaco and Manchester City

Aided by a change of formation just before City’s third, Monaco were more competitive in the second half, creating more chances, playing out of their own half, and limiting the visitors’ control. However, it didn’t prevent City from extending their advantage on the 50-minute mark through Ryan McAidoo. Once again, Sangaré had a hand in the goal, putting the ball through for the winger to extend the lead back to three goals.

McAidoo almost had a second seconds later, but Jules Stawiecki pulled off an excellent save to control the damage. Haddani then reduced the deficit to two once again to keep slim hopes of a comeback alive, but those were shattered when Sangaré completed his hat-trick and netted Manchester City’s fifth on the day.

Substitute Ekene Chukwuani netted a late third for Les Monégasques, but the loss means that, following a 1-0 loss to Club Brugge last time out, they are still winless in this year’s Youth League. “We knew that we were coming up against a good team. We tried to do what we could, but it is true that there is a difference in level,” said Traoré. Next up, Tottenham, against whom they will look to get their first points on the board.

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Photo credit: Luke Entwistle / Monaco Life

October 2 strike: transport, schools and hospitals face limited disruption in Alpes-Maritimes

by: Cassandra Tanti
01/10/2025

A third day of nationwide protests over budget savings and tax hikes will take place on Thursday 2nd October, but strike action in the Alpes-Maritimes is expected to be more muted than earlier demonstrations.

The call for mobilisation comes from France’s main unions, though this time without a unified front. While the CFDT, CGT, FO and Solidaires have each issued strike notices, they did not jointly sign a leaflet as they had for the large-scale demonstration on 18th September. On that day, 10,000 people marched in Nice according to organisers, compared with 2,700 according to police. The turnout on Thursday is forecast to be significantly lower.

Only one demonstration is planned in the Alpes-Maritimes, beginning at 10am from Thiers station in Nice and ending at Place Massena.

Public transport expected to run normally

Unlike the strike of 18th September, when trams in Nice were completely halted, no industrial action has been declared by the city’s public transport authority for 2nd October. Buses and trams are scheduled to run as normal, though the march may temporarily affect services along tram tracks in central Nice. The Envibus network in Antibes, which faced serious disruption two weeks ago, is also expected to operate normally.

Rail services are not expected to see widespread cancellations. SNCF has confirmed normal TGV schedules but warned of “some disruption” to TER services. Aviation may see minor delays, with 75 staff members across France declaring strike action, though the impact at airports is expected to be limited.

Schools see lower participation

Strike rates in education are also set to fall. The FSU-SNUipp, the main primary school union, estimates 10% of staff will walk out nationwide, compared with almost 18% on 18th September. In the Alpes-Maritimes, local union secretary Gilles Jean put participation at 20%, down from 30% two weeks ago.

In secondary schools, the SNES-FSU reported a similar decline, citing “the difficulty of holding multiple strikes so soon after the start of the school year.”

Hospitals join but on a smaller scale

The CGT has filed a strike notice for staff at Nice University Hospital. Union representative Stéphane Gauberti said workers would gather at Thiers station alongside other demonstrators and that those assigned to critical services would take part symbolically to be counted.

While the demonstrations are likely to attract less support than previous actions, organisers insist the movement remains vital in opposing “unfair and ineffective” budget measures.

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Photo credit: Kyriaki Topalidou, Monaco Life

Monaco’s economy surges ahead as finance minister outlines digital revolution

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
01/10/2025

Monaco’s economy is thriving at a pace that defies its neighbouring regions, growing at 5% annually in real terms, while the eurozone barely exceeds 0.5%.

This economic surge was revealed by Finance and Economy Minister Pierre-André Chiappori during the Junior Economic Chamber of Monaco’s breakfast conference at the Méridien Beach Plaza on Tuesday.

“It is extremely rare for a landlocked economy to grow four times faster than the zone in which it is located,” Chiappori explained, highlighting Monaco’s exceptional performance between 2019 and 2024.

This growth comes from major programmes alongside projects including the Mareterra extension. The remarkable part of the equation is that Monaco achieved this without triggering the budget deficits or inflation that economic textbooks typically predict.

Despite concern of a sharp slowdown after these programmes ended, Chiappori reported: “For the moment, we are not seeing any notable slowdown. The 2025 budget will be in surplus”.

Scrapping rules from 1828

Perhaps the most striking part of his speech concerned Monaco’s administrative overhaul. Chiappori disclosed that some regulations governing economic activity dated from 1828, a fact that prompted a comprehensive modernisation drive.

“I have personally experienced having to download a form, fill it in by hand, bring it to one office, then go and collect it from that office, take it to another office, and so on,” he said. “Obviously, that does not convey an image of particular modernity.”

A law passed in April 2025 created single-person limited liability companies and simplified numerous procedures. Now, creating such companies requires no in-person visits, everything can now be completed online. Within two years, Monaco aims to make all administrative processes digital.

The reforms are already working. Stéphan Bruno, Director of Economic Development, reported over 30% more business applications, with approximately 393 structures created this year. This indicates a clear trend in single-person companies, with four sectors dominating: digital marketing, artificial intelligence, wellness, and construction-related design offices.

When asked about future sectors to prioritise, Chiappori offered a pragmatic response: “Our main constraint is space. Any sector that manages to generate substantial wealth while occupying little space is a sector that interests me.” He specifically mentioned investment funds and private equity as promising activities in Monaco.

Pierre-André Chiappori during the breakfast conference. Photo credit: © JCI

Crypto scepticism and token enthusiasm

Monaco has also made dramatic progress on international compliance. Following a critical 2023 Moneyval report, the Principality now meets 39 of 40 recommendations, with only cryptocurrency regulation outstanding. The government aims to pass updated legislation by the end of 2026.

Chiappori expressed personal reservations about cryptocurrencies not backed by real assets, but showed genuine excitement about tokenisation. “It allows a much more flexible version of property rights. You could become owner of a tiny part of a building, for example,” he explained.

“Don’t listen to government advice”

In the conference’s most memorable moment, Chiappori offered unconventional guidance. “The advice I would like to give you is: don’t listen to advice, especially when it comes from the administration.”

He cited Bill Gates developing microcomputers in his garage while France invested massively in mainframe computes. “The problem was that the future was in that garage. Nobody understood that, including American experts at the time.”

His core message to entrepreneurs: “Your value is how you distinguish yourself from others. Cultivate that. There’s one thing that the state cannot do, in that case nobody can, and that’s predict innovation.”

Chiappori concluded by rejecting that the government knows everything. “God knows if there’s one thing I detest, it’s the idea that government has infused knowledge. France did that for years and we know the results were not uniformly positive.”

Instead, he called for collaboration. “We are listening to you. Don’t hesitate to share your suggestions, your criticisms. The creators of wealth are you. The government is not your spouse. We count on you.”

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Main photo of Pierre-André Chiappori: Credit JCI

 

Monaco team claims victory at Jules Bianchi Karting Marathon

by: Cassandra Tanti
01/10/2025

My Crown – Yellow Korner Monaco has celebrated a landmark win in the 245kg Corporate Category at the 10th edition of the Jules Bianchi Karting Marathon, a gruelling endurance race staged at Circuit Paul Ricard in honour of the late Formula 1 driver.

Team No. 22 secured victory after an extraordinary 42 hours, 19 minutes and 50 seconds of continuous racing, emerging top among 16 teams in their class and part of a wider field of 35 international competitors. The race concluded in an emotional ceremony as Jean Alesi, President of Circuit Paul Ricard, and Louis Ducruet, representing Prince Albert II of Monaco, waved the chequered flag.

A victory dedicated to Jules Bianchi

“We’re beyond proud to have achieved this victory in Jules’ memory,” said Sophia Vaharis Tsouvelekakis, Team Manager. “Winning in the 245kg Corporate Category was no small feat. It’s a testament to the hard work, passion and dedication of every person on our team. This win carries even more weight, as it embodies the spirit of solidarity, generosity and determination that Jules stood for.”

Photo credit: Vaharis Kambanis Iro

The marathon, launched in tribute to the much-loved French driver who died in 2015, continues to serve a wider purpose than sport alone. All proceeds from the event are donated to the Association Jules Bianchi, supporting the Neurology and Rehabilitation departments of L’Archet Hospital in Nice. Funds raised go towards advanced medical equipment, including walking simulators and immersive therapy systems for patients with severe brain injuries.

“This is more than a race. It’s about honouring Jules and his legacy of resilience, teamwork and compassion,” said co-organiser Franck Lagorce, who runs the event alongside Jules’ father, Philippe Bianchi.

A star-studded occasion

The race has also become a rallying point for the motorsport world and beyond. Ferrari Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc, a close friend of Bianchi and patron of the Association, sent a personal video message in support of the event. French singer Benjamin Biolay, three-time world swimming champion Camille Lacourt, and actor and sports journalist Arnaud Tsamère were among those who joined the gathering, which was broadcast live on WebTV and hosted by sports journalist Lionel Chamoulaud and comedian Marie Caizz.

Looking ahead

The Jules Bianchi Karting Marathon is now firmly established as both a high-octane challenge and a charitable mission. Organisers confirmed that the 11th edition will take place from 2nd to 4th October 2026, continuing to raise funds and awareness while carrying forward the spirit of a driver whose legacy continues to unite the motorsport community.

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Photo credit: Vaharis Kambanis Iro