Who runs local government in Monaco?
Monaco has a single municipality, the Commune of Monaco, covering the whole country. It has an elected council and mayor, but most power lies with the Prince and the Government led by the Minister of State.
Principality of Monaco · Unitary constitutional hereditary monarchy · Western Europe
The levels of government below the nation
| Level | How it is chosen | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Commune of Monaco (1) | Communal council of 15 members elected every six years by Monegasque citizens; it elects the mayor and deputy mayors | Civil status, markets, cultural and social activities, some local services; funded largely by a state grant. |
Three questions about local power in Monaco
Are local leaders elected?
The 15 communal councillors are elected by Monegasque citizens only; the council elects the mayor.
Which laws set up local government?
Title IX of the 1962 Constitution guarantees the commune; Law No. 959 of 1974 on communal organisation sets details.
Who are local leaders accountable to?
Voters; the Minister of State reviews the legality of council decisions and can object; the mayor and deputies can be removed only by ministerial order after consulting the Council of State.
Traditional and customary authority
No customary authority. Catholicism is the state religion under the Constitution, and the hereditary Prince holds executive power; neither works through local government.
Community and neighbourhood power
Residents' and neighbourhood associations exist informally. About three-quarters of residents are foreign nationals, who cannot vote in communal elections.
Points to know
- The Council of Europe (2018) noted that the mayor and deputies are not politically answerable to the council once elected.
- Because the commune covers the whole state, 'local' and 'national' overlap; the Prince's government handles most services.
Local terms
- Conseil communal
- The elected council of the Commune of Monaco.
Sources
- Constitution of Monaco (1962, rev. 2002), Constitute Project, checked 14 October 2026
- Mairie de Monaco (official site of the Commune), Mairie de Monaco, checked 14 October 2026
- Monaco: monitoring of the European Charter of Local Self-Government (Recommendation 417 (2018)), Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (CARTA-MONITOR), checked 14 October 2026
See also: Monaco's official statistics and leaders · the 10 levels of power.