Next Gibraltar general election explained

Country:Gibraltar
Type:Parliamentary
Ongoing:yes
Previous Election:2023 Gibraltar general election
Previous Year:2023
Seats For Election:All 17 seats in the Gibraltar Parliament
Majority Seats:9
Election Date:By 8 March 2028
Image1:3x4.svg
Leader1:TBD
Party1:GSLP–Liberal Alliance
Last Election1:50.04%, 9 seats[1]
Party2:Gibraltar Social Democrats
Last Election2:48.15%, 8 seats
Seats Needed2: 1
Image3:NCalamaro Portrait.jpg
Leader3:Nicky Calamaro
Party3:Together Gibraltar
Last Election3:Did not contest
Seats Needed3: 9
Seats3:0
Chief Minister
Before Election:Fabian Picardo
Before Party:Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party

General elections will be held in Gibraltar by 8 March 2028 to elect all 17 members to the sixth Gibraltar Parliament.

Background

Before the 2023 elections, Chief Minister Fabian Picardo announced that if elected, his fourth term as Chief Minister would be his last, and suggested Gemma Arias-Vasquez (New Minister for Health, Care & Business) to be his successor as leader of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party, if elected by the party, thus would become Gibraltar's first female Chief Minister and MP who takes the role without being a party leader, if decided in the general election. Nigel Feeham, the new Minister for Justice, Trade & Industry, has also expressed interest in succeeding Picardo as party leader on social media.[2]

However, on the 5th November, Fabian Picardo reciprocated his retirement plan as GSLP Leader by announcing on GBC that he will be re-standing for the next elections with his original position intact, subject to his party membership's confidence on him in an uncontested AGM. This resulted in Nigel Feetham to rescind for contesting for leadership in the AGM.

Electoral system

Under section 38(2) of the Gibraltar Constitution Order 2006, the parliament must be dissolved four years after its first meeting following the last election (unless the Chief Minister advises the Governor of Gibraltar to dissolve parliament sooner). Under section 37 of the Constitution, writs for a general election must be issued within thirty days of the dissolution and the general election must then be held no later than three months after the issuing of a writ.[3]

With the first meeting of the current parliament taking place on 10 November 2023, parliament must be dissolved before midnight on 9 November 2027, writs must be issued by 9 December 2027 and an election must take place before 8 March 2028. However, if recent precedent is followed, the Chief Minister is likely to ask the Governor for an early dissolution and an election to take place sometime in October 2027 (four years after the last election). Following the British tradition, elections conventionally take place on a Thursday.

Incumbent members (from 2023)

MPPartyParliament role(s)Seeking re-election?
bgcolor=Joseph Garcia (since 1999)GSLP–Liberal Alliance (LPG)Deputy Chief Minister (since 2011)
bgcolor=Fabian Picardo (since 2003)GSLP–Liberal Alliance (GSLP)Chief Minister (since 2011)Yes
bgcolor=Keith Azopardi (1996-2003; since 2019)GSDLeader of Opposition (since 2017)
bgcolor=Damon Bossino (2011-2015; since 2019)GSDShadow Minister for Housing, Lands & Transport
bgcolor=Nigel FeethamGSLP–Liberal Alliance (GSLP)Minister for Justice, Trade & Industry
bgcolor=Gemma Arias-VasquezGSLP–Liberal Alliance (GSLP)Minister for Health, Care & Business
bgcolor=John Cortes (since 2011)GSLP–Liberal Alliance (GSLP)Minister for the Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change & Education
bgcolor=Roy Clinton (since 2015)GSDShadow Minister for Finance & Value for Money (since 2015)
bgcolor=Craig SacarelloGSDShadow Minister for Business, Trade, Industry, Utilities & Community
bgcolor=Christian SantosGSLP–Liberal Alliance (GSLP)Minister for Equality, Employment, Culture & Tourism
bgcolor=Patricia OrfilaGSLP–Liberal Alliance (GSLP)Minister for Housing
bgcolor=Edwin Reyes (since 2007)GSDShadow Minister for Education, Employment & Culture
bgcolor=Joelle LadislausGSDShadow Minister for Health & Justice
bgcolor=Leslie BruzonGSLP–Liberal Alliance (LPG)Minister for Industrial Relations, Civil Contingencies & Sport
bgcolor=Joseph Bossano (since 1972)GSLP–Liberal Alliance (GSLP) (since 1980)Minister for Economic Development, Enterprise, Telecommunications & the Gibraltar Savings Bank
bgcolor=Giovanni OrigoGSDShadow Minister for Environment, Tourism, Youth & Equality
bgcolor=Atrish SanchezGSDShadow Minister for Care & Opportunity

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2023 election results. 2023-10-12. Gibraltar Parliament. 2023-11-06. dmy-all.
  2. Web site: Picardo says October 12 is his last election, tipping Gemma Arias Vasquez as next GSLP leader. Gibraltar Chronicle. 27 September 2023.
  3. Web site: Official text of the Gibraltar Constitution Order 2006 . 14 December 2006 . gibraltarlaws.gov.gi . 2015-12-18 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20121115055815/http://www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi/constitution/Gibraltar_Constitution_Order_2006.pdf#page=33 . 15 November 2012 . dead .