Monaco National Council Debates Unclear Costs of New Princess Grace Hospital

During the recent deliberations on Monaco's 2025 preliminary budget, concerns were voiced regarding the unclear operating expenses for the new Princess Grace Hospital. National Council President Thomas Brezzo underscored the critical need for detailed financial projections for this substantial public project, a sentiment echoed amid discussions about the fiscal management of Monaco's major infrastructure developments.

The issue gained prominence again on December 16, as highlighted in Monaco Hebdo, with Brezzo seeking clarity from Christophe Robino, Monaco’s Minister-Counsellor for Social Affairs and Health. Robino confirmed that calculations were being made to understand the financial demands of maintaining both the new and existing hospital facilities during the transition period. He noted the increased operational costs due to the need for additional staff and the high-tech systems of the new hospital, which would escalate energy use.

Robino projected that a clearer financial picture should emerge by 2027, coinciding with the hospital’s expected full operational status. However, Brezzo found it concerning that, almost a decade after the project's approval and with the inauguration of its first phase imminent, an estimate of the operating costs had yet to be presented. This scenario underscores a broader issue of fiscal foresight in Monaco’s approach to large-scale public investments, with the National Council advocating for enhanced financial discipline and transparency.