Mayor of Gibraltar

Last updated

Mayor of Gibraltar
Incumbent
Carmen Gomez
since 6 June 2023
Style Her Worship
Residence Gibraltar City Hall
Appointer Parliament
Inaugural holder Sir Joshua Hassan
DeputyNicky Guerrero
SalaryNone
Website http://www.mayor.gi/

The Mayor of Gibraltar is the ceremonial official of the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. The mayor is appointed by the elected Members of Parliament [1] and the office is situated at City Hall John Mackintosh Square. Since 6 June 2023, theatre actress, author and Miss Gibraltar 1970, Carmen Gomez, has held the position of Mayor of Gibraltar, succeeding Christian Santos GMD. [2]

Contents

History

Centrally situated at John Mackintosh Square, opposite the Gibraltar Parliament, the Gibraltar City Hall is the office of the Mayor of Gibraltar. Gibraltar City Hall 01.jpg
Centrally situated at John Mackintosh Square, opposite the Gibraltar Parliament, the Gibraltar City Hall is the office of the Mayor of Gibraltar.

Since its creation in 1921, the city council had a chairman. In 1955, upon request of the members of the city council, the post was renamed to mayor, and therefore, the mayor of Gibraltar was chosen from among the members of the council. Joshua Hassan, MVO, QC, JP, the chairman of the city council at the time became the first mayor of Gibraltar.

1969 Constitution

The city council disappeared when the new Gibraltar Constitution Order in Council was signed in 1969. However, the mayor of Gibraltar survived, but only with a ceremonial character, and was to be elected by the House of Assembly (later the Parliament). [3] This meant that office was invariably taken by the Speaker or a government minister. [4]

The 1969 Constitution stated: [3]

A person elected to the office of Mayor shall hold office upon such terms and conditions, and shall perform such functions (being ceremonial functions of a civic character), as may be determined by the Governor, acting after consultation with the Gibraltar Council.

2006 Constitution

Following the new 2006 Constitution, the mayor no longer had to be chosen from among the members of Parliament. Instead, the mayor is appointed by Parliament. The intention was to move to a new system whereby citizens from the community at large can be appointed mayor for a one-year period, although this can sometimes be for longer. The Government of Gibraltar announced that a deputy mayor would also be appointed for the same period and would then take up the office of mayor. [4]

Appointment

The Mayor of Gibraltar is appointed by Parliament but no longer from within Parliament, and is to hold the position for a minimum one-year period. [5] As per the 2006 Constitution: [1]

A person elected to the office of Mayor shall hold office upon such terms and conditions, and shall perform such functions (being ceremonial functions of a civic character), as may be determined by the Parliament.

Deputy

A deputy mayor is at the same time appointed by Parliament for one year to assist and support the mayor in the discharge of mayoral duties, as well as to act as mayor when she or he is unable to participate in a civic event. The deputy will take office as mayor the following year and a new deputy appointed, and so on. [5] [6]

Duties

Since 1969, the duties of the mayor are entirely ceremonial and civic. [5] The posts of mayor and deputy mayor of Gibraltar are honorific and thus unpaid. [4]

List of mayors

The following is a list of all the mayors of Gibraltar since the first tenure began in 1955: [7]

No.ImageNameTook officeLeft office
1 Joshua Hassan.jpg The Hon. Sir Joshua Hassan CBE MVO QC JP 23 February 19552 June 1969
2 The Hon. Col. William Thompson OBE JP.jpg The Hon. Col. William Thompson OBE JP2 June 19696 November 1970
3 The Hon. Alfred J. Vasquez CBE MA.jpg The Hon. Alfred J. Vasquez CBE MA6 November 197022 April 1976
4 Investidura Adolfo Canepa como nuevo alcalde (7).jpg The Hon. Adolfo J. Canepa Esq22 April 197631 December 1978
5 The Hon. Horace J. Zammit Esq.jpg The Hon. Horace J. Zammit Esq1 January 197931 July 1979
6 The Hon. Abraham W. Serfaty CBE JP.jpg The Hon. Abraham W. Serfaty CBE JP1 August 197931 July 1988
7 The Hon. Mari I. Montegriffo.jpg The Hon. Mari I. Montegriffo 1 August 198820 March 1995
8 The Hon. Robert Mor Esq.jpg The Hon. Robert Mor Esq 20 March 199531 July 1996
9 Judge John E. Alcantara CBE.jpg Judge John E. Alcantara CBE1 August 199631 July 2004
10 The Hon. Clive G. Beltran MP.jpg The Hon. Clive G. Beltran MP1 August 200431 July 2008
11 Sol levy mayor.jpg Solomon 'Momy' Levy, MBE, JP1 August 200831 July 2009
12 Olga zammitt.jpg Olga Zammitt OBE, JP1 August 200931 July 2010
13 Tony Lombard (cropped).jpg Anthony J P Lombard LL.B.1 August 201031 July 2011
14 Julio Alcantara.jpg Julio Alcantara MBE MA1 August 201131 July 2012
15 MayorTable.JPG Anthony Lima MBE RD RNR Retd.1 August 201231 July 2014
16 Investidura Adolfo Canepa como nuevo alcalde (7).jpg The Hon. Adolfo J. Canepa OBE GMH MP1 August 201431 July 2017
17 Freedom of the City - Kaiane Aldorino - September 2011 (cropped).jpg Kaiane Aldorino GMH1 August 20174 April 2019
18 John Goncalves MBE GMD.jpg John Gonçalves MBE GMD4 April 20191 June 2021
19 Christian Santos GMD.jpg Christian Santos GMD1 June 20216 June 2023
20 Carmen Gomez 6 June 2023Incumbent

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">President of France</span> Head of state of France

The president of France, officially the president of the French Republic, is the executive head of state of France, and the commander-in-chief of the French Armed Forces. As the presidency is the supreme magistracy of the country, the position is the highest office in France. The powers, functions and duties of prior presidential offices, in addition to their relation with the prime minister and government of France, have over time differed with the various constitutional documents since the Second Republic.

In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well as the means by which a mayor is elected or otherwise mandated. Depending on the system chosen, a mayor may be the chief executive officer of the municipal government, may simply chair a multi-member governing body with little or no independent power, or may play a solely ceremonial role. A mayor's duties and responsibilities may be to appoint and oversee municipal managers and employees, provide basic governmental services to constituents, and execute the laws and ordinances passed by a municipal governing body. Options for selection of a mayor include direct election by the public, or selection by an elected governing council or board.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">President of Turkey</span> Head of state and head of government of Turkey

The president of Turkey, officially the president of the Republic of Türkiye, is the head of state and head of government of Turkey. The president directs the executive branch of the national government and is the commander-in-chief of the Turkish military. The president also heads the National Security Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">President of Sri Lanka</span> Executive head of state of Sri Lanka

The president of Sri Lanka is the head of state and head of government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The president is the chief executive of the union government and the commander-in-chief of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">President of Pakistan</span> Head of state of Pakistan

The President of Pakistan is the head of state of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The president is the nominal head of the executive and the supreme commander of the Pakistan Armed Forces. The Presidency is a ceremonial position in Pakistan. The President is bound to act on advice of Prime Minister and cabinet. Asif Ali Zardari is the current President since 10 March 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">President of Vietnam</span> Head of state of Vietnam

The president of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is the head of state of Vietnam, elected by the Vietnam National Assembly from delegates of the National Assembly. Since Vietnam is a single-party state, the president is generally considered to hold the second highest position in the political system, formally after the general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam. In addition, the president appoints the head of government, the prime minister. As head of state, the President represents Vietnam both domestically and internationally, and maintains the regular and coordinated operation and stability of the national government and safeguards the independence and territorial integrity of the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prime Minister of Malaysia</span> Head of government of Malaysia

The prime ministerof Malaysia is the head of government of Malaysia. The prime minister directs the executive branch of the federal government. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong appoints the prime minister as a member of Parliament (MP) who, in his opinion, is most likely to command the confidence of a majority of MPs. The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the party winning the most seats in a general election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mayor of Toronto</span> Political office

The mayor of Toronto is the head of Toronto City Council and chief executive officer of the municipal government. The mayor is elected alongside city council every four years on the fourth Monday of October; there are no term limits. While in office, mayors are styled His/Her Worship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Assembly of Pakistan</span> Lower house of the Parliament of Pakistan

The National Assembly of Pakistan is the lower house of the bicameral Parliament of Pakistan, with the upper house being the Senate. As of 2023, the National Assembly has a maximum membership of 336, of which 266 are directly elected by an adult universal suffrage and a first-past-the-post system to represent their respective constituencies, while 70 are elected on reserved seats for women and religious minorities from all over the country. Members hold their seats for five years or until the house is dissolved by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. The house convenes at the Parliament House, Red Zone, Islamabad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elections in France</span> Overview of the procedure of elections in France

France is a unitary semi-presidential republic with a bicameral legislature. Public officials in the legislative and executive branches are either elected by the citizens or appointed by elected officials. Referenda may also be called to consult the French citizenry directly on a particular question, especially one which concerns amendment to the Constitution.

The office of Mayor of Galway is an honorific title used by the Cathaoirleach of Galway City Council. The council has jurisdiction throughout its administrative area of the city of Galway which is the largest city in the province of Connacht, in Ireland. The current mayor is Eddie Hoare, (FG).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">President of Italy</span> Head of state of Italy

The president of Italy, officially titled President of the Italian Republic, is the head of state of Italy. In that role, the president represents national unity, and guarantees that Italian politics comply with the Constitution. The president is the commander-in-chief of the Italian Armed Forces and chairs the High Council of the Judiciary. A president's term of office lasts for seven years. The incumbent president is former constitutional judge Sergio Mattarella, who was elected on 31 January 2015, and re-elected on 29 January 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parliament of Sierra Leone</span> The legislature of Sierra Leone

Parliament of Sierra Leone is the legislative branch of the government of Sierra Leone. It is principally responsible for making laws. The Sierra Leone parliament consists of 149 members, of which 135 members are directly elected from across Sierra Leone's 16 districts, while 14 are paramount chiefs appointed from the 14 rural districts. The parliament is led by the Speaker of the House; the position is currently held by Abass Bundu of the Sierra Leone People's Party. The current elected 135 ordinary members of parliament are composed of members of the All People's Congress and the Sierra Leone People's Party which are the two largest political parties in Sierra Leone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prime Minister of Cambodia</span> Head of government of Cambodia

The prime minister of Cambodia is the head of government of Cambodia. The prime minister is also the chairman of the Cabinet and leads the executive branch of the Royal Government of Cambodia. The prime minister is a member of parliament, and is appointed by the monarch for a term of five years. Since 1945, 37 individuals have served as prime minister; 33 as official prime ministers, and 4 in acting capacities. The current prime minister since 2023 is Hun Manet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Senate of Kazakhstan</span> Upper house in the Parliament of Kazakhstan

The Senate of Kazakhstan is the upper house of two chambers in Kazakhstan's legislature, known as the Parliament (Parlamenti). The Senate is composed of elected members: two from each region and two from three municipalities which are Almaty, Astana, and Shymkent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka</span> Presiding officer of the Parliament of Sri Lanka

The Speaker of the Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is the presiding officer of the chamber. The current Speaker of the Parliament is Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, in office since 20 August 2020. The Speaker fulfills a number of important functions in relation to the operation of the House, which is based upon the British Westminster parliamentary system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">President of Latvia</span> Head of state of the Republic of Latvia

The president of Latvia is head of state and commander-in-chief of the National Armed Forces of the Republic of Latvia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government of Kenya</span> National legislative, executive and judiciary powers of Kenya

The Government of the Republic of Kenya (GoK) is the national government of the Republic of Kenya, a federal republic located in East Africa, composed of 47 Counties, each county with its own semi-autonomous governments, including the national capital of Nairobi, where the national government is primarily based.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Lima</span>

Anthony "Tony" Lima, is a Gibraltarian politician, and former Mayor of Gibraltar. He was appointed to the office of deputy mayor on 1 August 2011 and to that of mayor on 1 August 2012. He was a former Customs Collector and Commanding officer of the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) unit HMS Calpe.

The Minister-president is the head of state and government in thirteen of Germany's sixteen states.

References

  1. 1 2 Gibraltar Constitution Order 2006 Archived 21 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "New Mayor John Gonçalves says he wants to give young people a voice" . Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  3. 1 2 Gibraltar Constitution Order 1969
  4. 1 2 3 Changes in Mayorship of Gibraltar [ permanent dead link ]
  5. 1 2 3 Sur in English - Gibraltar appoints its first non-parliamentary Mayor, Solomon Levy
  6. "Gibraltar.gi - Who wants to be Mayor?". Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
  7. Portraits of Gibraltar's 10 Mayors [ permanent dead link ]