Philippe Mettoux, a seasoned French jurist and anti-corruption expert, has been appointed by Prince Albert II as Monaco’s new Minister of State. He will officially assume office on 4th July, succeeding Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, who has served as interim head of government since the sudden death of Didier Guillaume in January.
In a communiqué issued on 4th June, the Prince’s Palace confirmed the appointment, stating: “The choice of H.S.H. the Prince has fallen on Philippe Mettoux to assume the functions of Minister of State, effective from 4th July 2025.”
Mettoux, currently a member of France’s Conseil d’État, began his career as a public prosecutor before moving into key roles within the Ministry of Justice, including the Directorate of Criminal Affairs and Pardons and the Central Service for the Prevention of Corruption. He later served as an advisor to Dominique Perben at the Chancellery and to Dominique de Villepin at both the Ministry of the Interior and the Prime Minister’s Office. Since 2013, he has been on secondment as Director of Legal and Compliance at SNCF and as the company’s internal mediator.
The appointment comes nearly six months after the untimely passing of Didier Guillaume, who died on 17th January at the age of 65, just four months into his tenure. To honour Guillaume’s service, Prince Albert II decreed a national day of mourning coinciding with his funeral, which was held at the Cathedral of Monaco on Thursday 23rd January.
In the interim, Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Monaco’s Minister of External Relations and Cooperation, stepped in to ensure continuity. The Prince expressed his deep gratitude for her dedication and efficiency, stating in the communique: “Her strong professionalism and thorough knowledge of the issues have greatly contributed to ensuring the continuity of governmental action.”
Philippe Mettoux’s appointment signals a pivotal moment for Monaco’s government at a time when the Principality faces mounting pressure from international institutions to improve transparency and accountability. With Monaco still under scrutiny from GRECO, the European Union, and other anti-corruption watchdogs over lingering financial opacity and governance practices, Mettoux’s extensive background in justice, compliance, and anti-corruption is seen as a strategic choice. His legal acumen and experience at the highest levels of public administration are expected to reinforce the Principality’s efforts to meet international standards and restore confidence in its institutional integrity.
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