Gibraltar Government
Country nameconventional long form: none
conventional short form: Gibraltar
Government type
NA
Capital
Gibraltar
Administrative divisions
none (overseas territory of the UK)
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
Constitution
30 May 1969
Legal system
English law
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal, plus other UK subjects who have been residents six months or more
Executive branch
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor and Commander-in-Chief Sir Francis RICHARDS (since 27 May 2003)
head of government: Chief Minister Peter CARUANA (since 17 May 1996)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed from among the 15 elected members of the House of Assembly 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 House of Assembly (18 seats - 15 elected by popular vote, one appointed for the Speaker, and two ex officio members; members serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 27 November 2003 (next to be held not later than February 2008)
election results: percent of vote by party - GSD 58%, GSLP 41%; seats by party - GSD 8, GSLP 7
Judicial branch
Supreme Court; Court of Appeal
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
International organization participation
Interpol (subbureau), UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US
none (overseas territory of the UK)
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
