Gemma Arias-vasquez

Now, the GSLP has confirmed the date of its annual general meeting, which could pave the way for Gibraltar to have its first female chief minister.

Fabian Picardo has indicated he won't be standing for re-election as party leader, with Gemma Arias-Vasquez expected to put her name forward.

Joining me now is GSLP Chairman Pepe Balaguino.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And this AGM is also where the party leader has to stand because the party leader in our constitution has to stand every two years for re-election or elections.

So Fabian Picardo has indicated he won't be standing again.

Gemma Arias-Vasquez is expected to put her name forward.

Have any other members expressed an interest in standing?

So, yeah, I think it's going to be a very interesting time.

And I think the pressure will be on Gemma Arias Vasquez when she takes over, because it's almost certain that she will take over from Fabian Picardo, to decide when the best time to hold an election is.

My feeling is if she goes the whole year, she will find herself in a very weak position.

Whereas I think if they went between now and the spring, it will be a neck and neck.

Having been Prime Minister? But if

there is a change of government in Spain, and as everybody expects, Gemma Arias Vasquez becomes Chief Minister before the next general election in Gibraltar, it's a hell of a baptism of fire.

Oh, yes, indeed.

Internationally.

Caruana had joined sovereignty.

Picardo had Brexit and Covid.

I wonder what Gemma Arias Vasquez will find.

I'm sure she'll sort it out because that's what is required.

So I think that some people might feel, well, he should stay on for the year or not.

And that debate in itself, however much, you know, he says, well, you know, my successor, who is already basically appointed, which is Gemma Arias-Vasquez, I think there will be people who say, well, we should have an election now.

If he's not going to be here, we want the person who's going to run forward with this all the time.

We want that decision now, whether it's her or whether it's Keith Asobardi.