On the evening of Monday, February 3, in a packed conference hall at the Novotel Monte-Carlo, Marc Mourou took the stage with a clear message: change starts now. Flanked by a team of seasoned politicians and fresh faces, he officially launched Génération Monaco, a new political movement aiming to reshape the future of the Principality.
Despite national elections being three years away, Mourou, a former member of the National Council, made it clear that waiting until the last minute to mobilise was not an option. “We’ve always found it surprising that political movements only start working a few months before elections,” he told the audience of nearly 300 attendees. “That approach forces last-minute alliances and weakens the ability to build a solid, well-prepared platform. Génération Monaco is different. We are here now, ready to engage, listen, and construct a program that truly responds to the needs of Monegasques.”
Génération Monaco brings together a diverse group of Monegasques, blending political veterans with new voices eager to make an impact. Alongside Mourou, key figures include Aude Berlin (Vice President) and former National Council members Pierre Van Klaveren, Pierre Bardy, and Jean-Charles Emmerich. Their goal? To create a long-term vision for Monaco through ongoing engagement, rather than sporadic campaign promises. “Our steering committee consists of 30 individuals—the maximum allowed by our statutes,” Mourou explained. “We’ve gathered people from all walks of life: civil servants, entrepreneurs, private sector employees, and independent professionals. Our movement reflects generational diversity as well, from young adults in their 20s to experienced professionals in their 50s and 60s.” The movement plans to hold regular public meetings—two to three times per semester—to foster dialogue and shape policies well ahead of the next election. “This isn’t just about a campaign,” Jean-Charles Emmerich emphasised. “It’s about continuous, structured work that leads to real solutions.”
This early strategic push is characteristic of Mourou, who has already left his mark on Monaco’s political landscape. Elected in 2018 on the Priorité Monaco (Primo!) list led by Stéphane Valeri, he quickly took on key roles, first as President of the Education, Youth and Sports Commission (CENJS), then as President of the Social Interests and Miscellaneous Affairs Commission (CISAD). His tenure was marked by efforts to modernise Monaco’s educational system and improve social policies—priorities that continue to shape his vision for Génération Monaco.
One of Génération Monaco’s top priorities is healthcare accessibility. Mourou pointed to increasing wait times for medical specialists—some exceeding four to five months—as unacceptable for a country that prides itself on world-class services. “Monegasque residents should not have to wait months to see a pediatrician, an ENT, a dermatologist, or a psychiatrist,” he said. While acknowledging Monaco’s open healthcare model, which attracts international patients, he stressed that it should not come at the expense of local residents. Beyond accessibility, Mourou highlighted concerns from private practitioners who feel overwhelmed by patient loads, leaving little time for meaningful doctor-patient interactions. “Medicine isn’t just about diagnoses—it’s about trust, dialogue, and care. We need to restore that balance.”
Monaco consistently ranks at the top academically, with a near-perfect baccalaureate success rate and high honours percentages. But Mourou wants to go deeper. “Yes, we have excellent results, but are our students getting into their dream schools? Are they finding meaningful careers when they return to Monaco?” He also called for a rethink of the school day structure, taking inspiration from Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon models, where students finish earlier in the afternoon to make time for cultural, artistic, and athletic pursuits. “In countries like Denmark and the UK, students finish school around 3 p.m., yet they perform just as well academically. It’s time we explored a model that prioritises well-being alongside academic excellence.”
Beyond healthcare and education, Mourou touched on broader issues, including gender equality in wages and parental leave, areas where he believes Monaco can draw lessons from Northern European countries. “Monaco has made progress, but we can do more to support families and working parents,” he said. “If we want to keep attracting and retaining talent, we need policies that reflect the realities of modern life.”
Image courtesy of Communications Department / Manuel Vitali