Fabian Picardo

Last updated

Justine Picardo
​
​
(m. 2011;sep. 2023)​
The Honourable
Fabian Picardo
KC MP
Crop of Fabian Picardo, 2017.jpg
Picardo in 2017
Chief Minister of Gibraltar
Assumed office
9 December 2011
Preceded by Sir Peter Caruana
ChildrenSebastian, Oliver, Valentina
Alma mater Oriel College, Oxford
Signature Fabian Picardo signature.svg
Website Website

Fabian Raymond Picardo (born 18 February 1972) is a Gibraltarian politician and barrister, serving as Chief Minister of Gibraltar and Leader of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party since 2011. At the 2015 and 2019 Gibraltar general elections, Picardo was re-elected to two further four-year terms. He was narrowly re-elected for a fourth term in the 2023 Gibraltar general election.

Contents

Picardo attended the University of Oxford, where he studied legal theory. [1]

Early life and education

Picardo was born on 18 February 1972 in Gibraltar and grew up in the Upper Town area. He has said that the area where he grew up "always made me think about the huge potential that the bay of Gibraltar could have as long as we were able to work together with our Spanish neighbours." His father was a clerical worker for the Ministry of Defence on Gibraltar, and his mother was a personal assistant to Joshua Hassan, the founder of Hassans law firm and a Chief Minister of Gibraltar. Picardo has said that "My parents instilled in me the simple principle of equality, that nobody is better than anybody else and that we shouldn’t look down on absolutely anyone because all of us are created equal." [2] Picardo's grandmother was Spanish, although he has said that the Picardo line came to Gibraltar during the Napoleonic Wars and that he's "particularly proud of that part of [his] bloodline." [2]

Picardo first entertained the idea of becoming a lawyer as the "result of a discussion with a teacher, who I was particularly keen to argue with, who told me that if I wanted to argue I should charge people for it and become a lawyer." When aged 14, he visited Hassans law firm to discuss the idea with the lawyers. [2] From 1990 to 1993, Picardo studied jurisprudence at Oriel College, Oxford. [1] His studies were supported by the grant system introduced by Joe Bossano's Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party government in 1988. [2] Oriel College paid tribute to Picardo's election by flying the flag of Gibraltar, [3] and Picardo has also spoken at Oriel Law Society since his election. [1] [4] Picardo then studied at the Inns of Court School of Gray's Inn and was called to the bar by Middle Temple in 1994. [5] [6]

In September 1994, Picardo joined Hassans, the largest law firm in Gibraltar, as an associate. He became a partner in 2000. [7] He was appointed as a Queen's Counsel on 12 June 2014. [8]

Political career

Picardo was a co-founder of the Gibraltar National Party in 1991, the predecessor to the Liberal Party of Gibraltar. In 2003, he joined the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party (GSLP) and was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the GSLP in that year's general election. [9]

Picardo meets with Minister for Europe David Lidington in London on December 2, 2015. Chief Minister of Gibraltar (23195770440).jpg
Picardo meets with Minister for Europe David Lidington in London on December 2, 2015.

Picardo has described what made him interested in politics as a lawyer in Gibraltar: "I started to wake up to politics and see what Hassan had done, and I started to understand what Joe Bossano was doing. I realised that if I had the ability to become a lawyer then I should use that ability also in the interests of Gibraltar. Gibraltar is a place where all of us have to pull our weight; we all have to do what we can and I wanted to do what I could in politics." Picardo became the leader of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party in 2011, taking over from Joe Bossano. He won the 2011 election, forming a coalition government with the Liberal Party. [2]

Picardo signing the book of condolence for Queen Elizabeth II at Lancaster House on 17 September 2022 World Leaders - Book of Condolence for HM The Queen (52363327357).jpg
Picardo signing the book of condolence for Queen Elizabeth II at Lancaster House on 17 September 2022

Picardo said that the "crowning achievements" of his first term were two new schools, a university, a new bank, and a new 700-berth marina. He also appointed Gibraltar's first Minister for Equalities and passed the Civil Partnerships Act in 2014, ending legal discrimination against same-sex couples. [10] In October 2015, he said that if Brexit took place, Gibraltar "would have to carefully reconsider what the economic prospects for Gibraltar are and how we would be positioned." [2]

In the 2015 election, the GSLP-Liberal Alliance under Picardo won a second term in office, defeating the Gibraltar Social Democrats led by then Leader of the Opposition Daniel Feetham.

In the 2019 election, the GSLP-Liberal Alliance once again under Picardo won a third term in office, defeating both the Gibraltar Social Democrats led by Leader of the Opposition Keith Azopardi and Together Gibraltar led by Marlene Hassan-Nahon.

In the 2023 election, the GLSP-Liberal Alliance won a fourth term in office under the leadership of Picardo. They once again defeated Leader of the Opposition Keith Azopardi and the Gibraltar Social Democrats but this time by a far narrower margin than 2019. The Alliance saw a 2.46pp decrease in their share of the popular vote and lost a seat to the GSD, resulting in a historic first for Gibraltar in which the Opposition held eight seats instead of the traditional seven. [11]

During the election campaign, Picardo stated that the 2023 election would be his last, and he plans to step down as Chief Minister of Gibraltar and Leader of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party at some point throughout the 14th Parliament of Gibraltar. He also took the opportunity to suggest he would be in favour of Health Minister Gemma Arias Vasquez replacing him in both positions but noted that the party would ultimately select who succeeds him.

Personal life

Picardo was married to Justine Olivero. They have now been separated. She also works for Hassans law firm, and they have two sons and one daughter, Sebastian, Oliver and Valentina. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gibraltar Social Democrats</span> Political party in Gibraltar

The Gibraltar Social Democrats (GSD) is a liberal-conservative, centre-right political party in Gibraltar. The GSD was the governing party for four successive terms in office under the leadership of Peter Caruana, from the 1996 general election until the party's electoral defeat in the 2011 election by the GSLP–Liberal Alliance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party</span> Social-democratic political party in Gibraltar

The Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party (GSLP) is a social-democratic political party in Gibraltar. The GSLP is the oldest surviving active political party in Gibraltar. Its roots are based in the trade union movement, as its founder and former leader Joe Bossano was the District Officer of the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU). The party has been led since 2011 by Fabian Picardo, who has served as Chief Minister of Gibraltar since the 2011 general election. The GSLP forms the GSLP–Liberal Alliance in partnership with the Liberal Party of Gibraltar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Bossano</span> Gibraltarian politician, former Chief Minister (1988–1996), Minister for Economy

Sir Joseph John Bossano is a Gibraltarian politician who served as Chief Minister of Gibraltar from 1988 to 1996 and Leader of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party from 1978 to 2011. He served as Leader of the Opposition from 1984 to 1988 and 1996 to 2011. He was first elected to the then Gibraltar House of Assembly in 1972 and is often referred to as the Father of the House for being the longest-serving parliamentarian in Gibraltar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Association for the Advancement of Civil Rights</span> Political party in Gibraltar

The Association for the Advancement of Civil Rights (AACR) was a political party in Gibraltar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Garcia (Gibraltarian politician)</span> Gibraltarian historian and politician

Dr Joseph John Andrew Garcia is a Gibraltarian historian and politician, and the current leader of the Liberal Party of Gibraltar (LPG) and Deputy Chief Minister of the Government of Gibraltar. The LPG holds two of the 17 seats in the Gibraltar Parliament after the 2023 general election and is in government with its political allies, the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party (GSLP).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 Gibraltar general election</span>

General elections were held in Gibraltar on 11 October 2007. The incumbent Chief Minister Peter Caruana narrowly won a fourth term, but opposition leader Joe Bossano had a very strong showing. Joe Bossano noted that this would be his last term as an MP, and joked that he would not join the government, despite receiving a higher personal vote than some members of the Gibraltar Social Democrats (GSD).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keith Azopardi</span> Gibraltarian politician (born 1967)

Keith Azopardi is a Gibraltarian lawyer and politician serving as Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Gibraltar Social Democrats since 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gilbert Licudi</span> Gibraltarian Barrister and former politician

The Hon. Gilbert Horace Licudi is a Gibraltarian barrister and legal partner at Hassans and former Minister (2011-2020) and former MP (2007-2023) of Gibraltar, member of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party (GSLP). He is married and has two children.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neil Costa</span>

Neil Francis Costa is a Gibraltarian barrister and politician affiliated to the Liberal Party of Gibraltar (LPG). In December 2011 he was elected an MP to the Gibraltar Parliament and was elected Minister for Tourism, Public Transport, Commercial Affairs and the Port. After the Ministerial reshuffle of December 2014, he became Minister for Business and Employment. In October 2016, he was appointed Minister for Health, Care and Justice. In October 2019, Costa confirmed his decision that he would not seek re-election and returned to work as a barrister.

The Hon. Paul John Balban is a former Gibraltarian politician, State Registered Dietitian and former taxi driver. He was first elected to the Gibraltar Parliament at the 2011 general elections and was a Gibraltar Government Minister until 12 October 2023, member of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party (GSLP). He is married and has three daughters. On 15 September 2023, he announced that he and fellow party MPs and Ministers, Albert Isola and Samantha Sacramento, would not stand for re-election.

Damon James Bossino is a Gibraltarian barrister and Member of the Gibraltar Parliament representing the Gibraltar Social Democrats. He is married to Rosa Arrimadas from Spain with whom he has three children.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Gibraltar by-election</span>

A by-election was held to the Gibraltar Parliament on 4 July 2013 to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Housing Minister Charles Bruzon in April 2013. The Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party (GSLP), Gibraltar Social Democrats (GSD), Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) and an independent contested the by-election. The Liberal Party of Gibraltar who is in alliance and in Government with the GSLP backed the GSLP's candidate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Albert Isola</span> Gibraltarian barrister and politician

Albert Joseph Isola is a Gibraltarian barrister and former politician, member of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party (GSLP). He was a member of the Gibraltar House of Assembly as part of the Opposition between 1996 and 2000. He later became a Government Minister for Financial Services and Gaming after becoming elected to Parliament in the 2013 by-election. Isola is married and has four children. On 15 September 2023, it was announced that he and fellow party MPs and Ministers, Paul Balban and Samantha Sacramento, would not stand for re-election.

General elections were held in Gibraltar on 26 November 2015 to elect all 17 members to the third Gibraltar Parliament. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo announced the date of the election on Monday 19 October 2015 during a speech on the Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1984 Gibraltar general election</span>

General elections were held in Gibraltar on 26 January 1984. The Association for the Advancement of Civil Rights (AACR) administration of Joshua Hassan was re-elected for a further term.

General elections were held in Gibraltar on 17 October 2019 to elect all 17 members to the fourth Gibraltar Parliament. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo announced the date of the election on Monday 16 September 2019. On September 2019, it was announced that Libs MP and GSLP/Libs Minister, Neil Costa, would not seek re-election and had his candidacy and seat replaced by Vijay Daryanani of the same party.

The GSLP–Liberal Alliance is a centre-left political alliance active in Gibraltar consisting of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party (GSLP) and Liberal Party of Gibraltar (LPG).

Maria Isabel Montegriffo, known as Mari Montegriffo was a Gibraltarian politician. She was a Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party member of the House of Assembly from 1984 to 2007, the first female Mayor of Gibraltar (1988–95), as well as the Minister of Medical Services and Health and the Minister of Sport in Joe Bossano's administration.

General elections were held in Gibraltar on 12 October 2023 to elect all 17 members of the fifth Gibraltar Parliament. This was the first election in Gibraltar's history to use an electronic voting count system. The GSLP–Liberal Alliance secured a fourth term in office, though it saw its majority reduced to one seat, whilst the GSD became the sole opposition party, gaining two seats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Gibraltar abortion referendum</span>

A referendum on partially legalising abortion was held in Gibraltar on 24 June 2021. The referendum question was whether to enact the Crimes (Amendment) Act 2019, which allows abortions up to 12 weeks if the woman's mental or physical health is at risk. It also allows abortion later if the woman's life is at risk, to prevent "grave permanent" mental or physical injury, or there is a fatal fetal abnormality. It had originally been scheduled for 19 March 2020, but was postponed on 12 March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposal was approved by 63% of voters.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "CM to address Oriel College Law Society". Gibraltar Chronicle. 11 November 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Profile of chief minister Fabian Picardo". The Guardian. 8 October 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  3. ↑ "Oriel College, Oxford, Flies Gibraltar Flag". Panorama. 12 December 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  4. ↑ "Oriel Law Society's Annual Dinner 2016". Oriel College, Oxford. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  5. ↑ "Gibraltar profile - Leaders". BBC. 17 February 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  6. ↑ "Calls to the Bar". The Independent. 13 October 1994. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  7. ↑ Neate, Rupert (2 June 2013). "Hassans: the law firm with close links to Gibraltar's government". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  8. ↑ "Hassans' partners appointed Queen's Counsel". Hassans. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  9. ↑ "Q&A With Gibraltar's Honorable Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo". Forbes. 30 June 2014. Archived from the original on 4 April 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  10. ↑ Simmonds, Charlotte (30 June 2015). "The Gib Statesman: Chief Minister interviewed". New Statesman. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  11. ↑ Dagless, George (16 October 2023). "Pedro Sanchez Sent Congratulatory Message To Gibraltar Election Winner". EuroWeekly News. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
Party political offices
Preceded by Leader of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party
2011–present		Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Chief Minister of Gibraltar
2011–present		Incumbent
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.