Mayor of Gibraltar
Introduction 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 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.
History 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). This meant that office was invariably taken by the Speaker or a government minister.The 1969 Constitution stated:===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.
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. As per the 2006 Constitution:===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.
Duties Since 1969, the duties of the mayor are entirely ceremonial and civic. The posts of mayor and deputy mayor of Gibraltar are honorific and thus unpaid.
List of mayors The following is a list of all the mayors of Gibraltar since the first tenure began in 1955:'''Image''''''Name''''''Took office''''''Left office'''1The Hon. Sir Joshua A. HassanThe Hon. Sir Joshua Hassan CBE MVO QC JP23 February 19552 June 19692100x100pxThe Hon. Col. William Thompson OBE JP2 June 19696 November 19703100x100pxThe Hon. Alfred J. Vasquez CBE MA6 November 197022 April 19764The Hon. Adolfo J. CanepaThe Hon. Adolfo J. Canepa Esq22 April 197631 December 19785100x100pxThe Hon. Horace J. Zammit Esq1 January 197931 July 19796100x100pxThe Hon. Abraham W. Serfaty CBE JP1 August 197931 July 19887100x100pxThe Hon. Mari I. Montegriffo1 August 198820 March 19958100x100pxThe Hon. Robert Mor Esq20 March 199531 July 19969100x100pxJudge John E. Alcantara CBE1 August 199631 July 200410100x100pxThe Hon. Clive G. Beltran MP1 August 200431 July 200811Solomon Levy MBE, JPSolomon 'Momy' Levy, MBE, JP1 August 200831 July 200912Olga Zammitt, OBE, JPOlga Zammitt OBE, JP1 August 200931 July 201013Anthony LombardAnthony J P Lombard LL.B.1 August 201031 July 201114Julio AlcantaraJulio Alcantara MBE MA 1 August 201131 July 201215Anthony LimaAnthony Lima MBE RD RNR Retd.1 August 201231 July 201416The Hon. Adolfo J. CanepaThe Hon. Adolfo J. Canepa OBE GMH MP1 August 201431 July 201717Kaiane LopezKaiane Aldorino GMH1 August 20174 April 201918 101x101pxJohn Gonçalves MBE GMD4 April 20191 June 202119150x150pxChristian Santos GMD1 June 20216 June 202320150x150pxCarmen Gomez6 June 2023Incumbent
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