- Mayor of Gibraltar
-
Mayor of Gibraltar 
Coat of arms of the Mayor of GibraltarIncumbent
Anthony Lombard
since 1 August 2010Style His Worship Residence Gibraltar City Hall Appointer Gibraltar Parliament Term length 12 months Inaugural holder Joshua Hassan Succession Julio Alcantara Deputy Julio Alcantara Salary Unpaid His or Her Worship, the Mayor of Gibraltar, is currently the ceremonial official of the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. The Mayor is appointed by the elected Members of Parliament[1] and takes residency in the City Hall. Since the 1 August 2010 Anthony Lombard holds the position of Mayor of Gibraltar and Julio Alcantara that of Deputy Mayor.[2]
Contents
History
Since the creation of the City Council in 1921, it 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, the Chairman of the City Council at the time become the first Mayor of Gibraltar.
1969 Constitution
Main article: Gibraltar Constitution Order 1969The 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
Main article: Gibraltar Constitution Order 2006Following 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. The Government of Gibraltar announced that a Deputy Mayor would also be appointed for the same period and would take up the office of Mayor the following year.[4]
Appointment
Centrally situated in John Mackintosh Square, opposite the Gibraltar Parliament, the Gibraltar City Hall is the official residence of the Mayor of Gibraltar.
The Mayor of Gibraltar is appointed by Parliament but no longer from within Parliament, and is to hold the position for a 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 s/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 Mayor is not a political figure as his/her duties are entirely ceremonial and civic.[5] The posts of Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Gibraltar are honorific and thus unpaid.[4]
Gibraltar National Day
Main article: Gibraltar National DayThe most prominent event in the Mayor's calendar is the Gibraltar National Day. On this day the Mayor formally presents the Gibraltar Medallion of Honour to its recipients and reads out the Gibraltar National Day Declaration from the City Hall's balcony.
List of Mayors
The following is a list of all the Mayors of Gibraltar since the first tenure began in 1955:[7]
Picture Name Took Office Left Office 1 
The Hon. Sir Joshua Hassan CBE MVO QC JP 1955 1969 2 The Hon. Col. William Thompson OBE JP 1969 1970 3 The Hon. Alfred J. Vasquez CBE MA 1970 1976 4 
The Hon. Adolfo J. Canepa 1976 1978 5 The Hon. Horace J. Zammit 1979 1979 6 The Hon. Abraham W. Serfaty CBE JP 1979 1988 7 The Hon. Mari I. Montegriffo 1988 1995 8 The Hon. Robert Mor 1995 1996 9 Judge John E. Alcantara CBE 1996 2004 10 The Hon. Clive G. Beltran 2004 31 July 2008 11 
Solomon 'Momy' Levy 1 August 2008 31 July 2009 12 
Olga Zammitt OBE, JP 1 August 2009 31 July 2010 13 Anthony J P Lombard Ll.B. 1 August 2010 Will leave office on 31 July 2011 14 Julio Alcantara Will take office on 1 August 2011 Will leave office on 31 July 2012 15 Anthony Lima Will take office on 1 August 2012 Will leave office on 31 July 2013 References
- ^ a b Gibraltar Constitution Order 2006
- ^ Gibraltar Chronicle - Lady Mayor Olga at the City Hall
- ^ a b Gibraltar Constitution Order 1969
- ^ a b c Changes in Mayorship of Gibraltar
- ^ a b c Sur in English - Gibraltar appoints its first non-parliamentary Mayor, Solomon Levy
- ^ Gibraltar.gi - Who wants to be Mayor?
- ^ Portraits of Gibraltar's 10 Mayors
Gibraltar Constitution Order 1969
Col. William Thompson · Alfred J. Vasquez · Adolfo Canepa · Horace J. Zammit · Abraham W. Serfaty · Mari I. Montegriffo · Robert Mor · John E. Alcantara · Clive G. BeltranGibraltar Constitution Order 2006
Clive G. Beltran · Solomon Levy · Olga Zammitt · Anthony Lombard · Julio Alcantara · Anthony LimaCategories:- Mayors of Gibraltar
- Gibraltar-related lists
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