Stéphane Valeri to Monaco Press Club
Conseil National President confronts his critics in friendly debate
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President of the Conseil National
Stéphane Valeri at the Monaco Press Club
Photograph: Claire Lathbury
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06.05.2008 / A couple of months into his second term as President of the Conseil National, a confident Stéphane Valeri discussed his ambitions for the Principality at a Monaco Press Club breakfast this morning.
Chaired by Bernard Spindler, President of the Club, the interview at the Yacht Club de Monaco offered Mr Valeri a chance to clear up ambiguities which sometimes muddy the political waters. He was keen to stress for example that the Conseil National, as a body elected by the 8,000 Monegasque nationals, is independent of the government. "It is a situation other countries find hard to understand," he said.
He also made clear that contrary to the opinion of some in the media, the Conseil National was not an opposition to the government. "Nor are we there to say yes to everything," he added, "but to bring another voice to the table to the benefit of Monaco and all its inhabitants."
Smoking ban issue
He was responding to a question from Mr Spindler on the ban on smoking in enclosed public places due to come into force in November 2008 (Loi 847). The Conseil National objected strongly to a derogation for the Monte-Carlo Casino run by the SBM (Société des Bains de Mer), the implication being that the Casino's high ceiling rooms pose less of a danger to employees. "We were largely in agreement with the proposals but the principle is to protect employees. The issue was discussed in depth before the government accepted our position," he insisted.
The talk ranged over many issues, including Mr Valeri's personal goal to allow Monegasques to inherit the right to live in a state-owned apartment, to the status of "les enfants du pays" (literally, children of the nation). Nationals belong to the "secteur protégé" which makes them eligible to the significantly lower-than-the-private-sector rents in "domaine" property.
Although no law exists to define the term "les enfants du pays", the phrase was coined in about 1990 to give French people access to the "secteur protégé". They include those who were born in Monaco and have lived here since then, without moving away, and those who have lived here continuously for 40 years.
A consummate politician Mr Valeri was careful not to criticise the foreign communities while stressing the importance of maintaining the identity of the country and its people "united behind their Prince".
Important to note that he and his party, the Union pour Monaco, have been elected by their people, whereas the Minister of State and his advisors are selected with the approval of the Prince: not so much politicians perhaps but rather civil servants. CL
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