ABSTRACT
Under the Constitution of 17 December 1962, as amended on 2 April 2002, legislative power is vested jointly in the Prince, a hereditary mler, and the 24-member Conseil National (National Council), which is elected by universal adult suffrage, partly under a system of proportional representation, for a term of five years. The electorate comprises only Monégasque citizens aged 18 years or over. Executive power is exercised, under the authority of the Prince, by the five-member member Council of Government, headed by the Minister of State (a Monégasque or French civil servant appointed by the Prince after consultation with the French Government). The Prince represents the Principality in its relations with foreign powers, and signs and ratifies treaties.
