A controversial proposal to amend Monaco’s anti-money laundering legislation has sparked sharp divisions within the National Council, exposing growing tensions between the newly formed opposition group “En Avant Monaco” and the governing majority…
As reported by Monaco Matin, the dispute centres on a bill introduced by opposition figures Régis Bergonzi and Roland Mouflard that would replace criminal liability for compliance officers in cases of unintentional professional misconduct with an administrative sanctions regime. The proposal would still maintain criminal penalties for deliberate fraud, corruption, or other intentional offences.
Supporters of the bill argue that compliance officers, who play a central role in monitoring suspicious financial activity and enforcing anti-money laundering procedures, should not face criminal prosecution for mistakes made in good faith. Roland Mouflard defended the proposal by insisting that those tasked with protecting the system should not be treated as “permanent suspects.”
The reaction from the majority was immediate and unusually forceful. Christine Pasquier-Ciulla, president of the legislation committee, warned that the proposal risked undermining Monaco’s efforts to secure removal from the FATF grey list at a crucial moment for the Principality’s international reputation.
National Council president Thomas Brezzo also criticised the initiative, arguing that Monaco had already strengthened its legislation in line with international recommendations and warning against any measure that could be interpreted externally as a weakening of financial oversight.
The proposal has now been referred back to committee ahead of an expected difficult passage through the chamber.
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