Europe > Gibraltar > Government

View full size

Administrative divisions none (overseas territory of the UK)
Capital city	Gibraltar
Capital city > Geographic coordinates	36 08 N, 5 21 W
Constitution 5 June 2006; came into force 2 January 2007
Executive branch > Cabinet Council of Ministers appointed from among the 17 elected members of the Parliament by the governor in consultation with the chief minister
Executive branch > Chief of state Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Sir Robert FULTON (since 27 October 2006)
Executive branch > Head of government Chief Minister Peter CARUANA (since 17 May 1996)
Flag description two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band
Independence none (overseas territory of the UK)
International organization participation	Interpol (subbureau), UPU
Judicial branch Supreme Court; Court of Appeal
Legal system the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply
Legislative branch unicameral Parliament (18 seats: 17 members elected by popular vote, 1 for the Speaker appointed by Parliament; to serve four-year terms)
Legislative branch > Elections last held 11 October 2007 (next to be held not later than October 2011)
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
Political parties and leaders Gibraltar Liberal Party [Joseph GARCIA]; Gibraltar Social Democrats or GSD [Peter CARUANA]; Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or GSLP [Joseph John BOSSANO]
Political pressure groups and leaders Chamber of Commerce; Gibraltar Representatives Organization; Women's Association
Status dependent democracy
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal; and British citizens who have been residents six months or more
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International in 2002, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to reject any "shared sovereignty" arrangement; the government of Gibraltar insists on equal participation in talks between the UK and Spain; Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant Gibraltar even greater autonomy

Related links:

• Forum discussion > Government
• Looking for Stats on the American Government? Check out StateMaster
• Stay updated with current stat feeds! Subscribe to the Government RSS / Atom feeds
•  Subscribe to our popular Government factoids RSS / Atom feeds
• Save this page on  del.icio.us / furl / your bookmarks

More facts and figures on Gibraltar