Founded in 1215 as a colony of Genoa, Italy, Monaco has been ruled by the House of Grimaldi since 1419, except when it fell under French rule during the French Revolution and the First Empire. Designated a protectorate of Sardinia during 1815-60 by the Treaty of Vienna, Monaco's sovereignty was recognized by the Franco-Monegasque Treaty of 1861. The prince of Monaco was an absolute ruler until a constitution was promulgated in 1911.

On July 17, 1918, a treaty was signed providing for limited French protection over Monaco. The treaty, written into the Treaty of Versailles, established that Monegasque policy would be aligned with French political, military, naval, and economic interests.

Prince Rainier III, the present ruler of Monaco, acceded to the throne following the death of his grandfather, Prince Louis II, in 1949. Prince Albert, the heir apparent, was born in 1958.

A new constitution, proclaimed on December 17, 1962, abolished capital punishment and provided for female suffrage and the establishment of a Supreme Tribunal to guarantee fundamental liberties.

Current Political Conditions

The National and Democratic Union (UND), formed in 1962, is the only organized political party in Monaco. The UND garnered all of the 18 National Council seats in the January 1988 elections. Prince Rainier appointed Jean Ausseil as Minister of State on September 16, 1985.

Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs, May 1988.