Government and Politics

Government and Politics of Gibraltar

Government structure, leadership, capital, military, and national symbols of Gibraltar.

Government Structure

Constitutional foundations, branches, parties, and leadership.

Government Type: NA
Administrative Divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK)
Legal System: English law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal, plus other UK subjects who have been residents six months or more
Citizenship: See United Kingdom
Executive Branch: chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022), represented by Governor Sir David STEEL (since 8 February 2020) head of government: Chief Minister Fabian PICARDO (since 9 December 2011) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed from among the 17 elected members of the Gibraltar Parliament by the governor in consultation with the chief minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor
Legislative Branch: Unicameral Parliament of Gibraltar (17 seats; 10 members elected by popular vote from a single constituency using a modified block voting system, with voters casting up to 10 votes; members serve four-year terms; the Speaker, who is elected by the Parliament and need not be a member, presides but does not vote; the Governor may also appoint an Attorney General and a Financial Secretary as ex officio members in certain circumstances) Elections: last held on 12 October 2023 (next to be held no later than 2027) Election results: percent of vote by party - GSLP-Liberal Alliance 52.0%, GSD 47.7%; seats by party - GSLP-Liberal Alliance 8, GSD 7; the GSLP-Liberal Alliance, led by Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, retained power for a fourth consecutive term
Judicial Branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeal
Political Parties: Gibraltar Liberal Party [Joseph GARCIA]; Gibraltar Social Democrats or GSD [Peter CARUANA]; Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or GSLP [Joseph John BOSSANO]
Head of State: King CHARLES III, represented by Governor Sir David STEEL
Head of Government: Chief Minister Fabian PICARDO
Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed from among the 17 elected members of the Parliament by the governor in consultation with the chief minister
Elections: last held on 12 October 2023 (next to be held no later than 2027)
Election Results: In the most recent Gibraltar general election, held in October 2023, the GSLP-Liberal Alliance secured victory with approximately 49.9% of the vote, while the GSD received around 47.1%. In terms of seats, the GSLP-Liberal Alliance won 8 seats and the GSD won 7 seats in the Gibraltar Parliament. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and the GSLP-Liberal Alliance retained power, marking their fourth consecutive term in government.
Constitution: 30-May-69
Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK)
National Holiday: National Day, 10 September (1967); note - day of the national referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or go with Spain
International Organization Participation: Interpol (subbureau)
Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.: none (overseas territory of the UK)
U.S. Diplomatic Representation: none (overseas territory of the UK)

Capital City

Seat of government and political history.

Capital City: Gibraltar
Location: 36 08 N, 5 21 W
Time Difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
History: From the Spanish derivation of the Arabic "Jabal Tariq," which means "Mountain of Tariq" and which refers to the Rock of Gibraltar

Military

Branches, service obligations, expenditures, and manpower.

Military Branches: Royal Gibraltar Regiment

National Symbols

Flag, anthem, and other symbols of national identity.

The flag of Gibraltar is an elongated banner of the Arms of Gibraltar, granted by Royal Warrant Queen Isabella of Castille on the 10th July 1502. An escutcheon on which the upper two thirds shall be a white field and on the said field set a red castle, and below the said castle, on the other third of the escutcheon, which must be a red field in which there must be a white line between the castle and the said…

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