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

Prior to 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 could be his successor as leader of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party, if elected by the party. Nigel Feeham, the Minister for Justice, Trade & Industry, has also expressed interest on succeeding Picardo as party leader on social media.[2]

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)

CandidateImagePartyAllianceParliament Role(s)Seeking re-election?
bgcolor=Joseph GarciaLPGGSLP–Liberal AllianceDeputy Chief Minister
bgcolor=Fabian PicardoGSLPGSLP–Liberal AllianceChief Minister
bgcolor=Keith AzopardiGSDalign=center-Leader of Opposition
bgcolor=Damon BossinoGSDalign=center-Shadow Minister for Housing, Lands & Transport
bgcolor=Nigel FeethamGSLPGSLP–Liberal AllianceMinister for Justice, Trade & Industry
bgcolor=Gemma Arias-VasquezGSLPGSLP–Liberal AllianceMinister for Health, Care & Business
bgcolor=John CortesGSLPGSLP–Liberal AllianceMinister for the Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change & Education
bgcolor=Roy ClintonGSDalign=center-Shadow Minister for Finance & Value for Money
bgcolor=Craig SacarelloGSDalign=center-Shadow Minister for Business, Trade, Industry, Utilities & Community
bgcolor=Christian SantosGSLPGSLP–Liberal AllianceMinister for Equality, Employment, Culture & Tourism
bgcolor=Patricia OrfilaGSLPGSLP–Liberal AllianceMinister for Housing
bgcolor=Edwin ReyesGSDalign=center-Shadow Minister for Education, Employment & Culture
bgcolor=Joelle LadislausGSDalign=center-Shadow Minister for Health & Justice
bgcolor=Leslie BruzonLPGGSLP–Liberal AllianceMinister for Industrial Relations, Civil Contingencies & Sport
bgcolor=GSLPGSLP–Liberal AllianceMinister for Economic Development, Enterprise, Telecommunications & the Gibraltar Savings Bank
bgcolor=Giovanni OrigoGSDalign=center-Shadow Minister for Environment, Tourism, Youth & Equality
bgcolor=Atrish SanchezGSDalign=center-Shadow 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 .