Spain and the United Kingdom are working to protect negotiations on Gibraltar ahead of the British elections, scheduled for July 4th. The decision by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to call early elections, originally planned for the fall, and hold them in six weeks, has raised fears that negotiations on the relationship between the British colony and the EU, which have been ongoing for two and a half years and are nearing their final stages, may be put on hold, possibly indefinitely. Both London and Madrid are working to dispel these fears. The UK government is collaborating closely with the Gibraltar government to reach an agreement that benefits Gibraltar, its citizens, and its economy.
Alarm bells have rung in the British colony of Gibraltar, whose residents voted 95% in favor of remaining in the EU in the Brexit referendum and would be restricted by a hard border with Spain if negotiations fail. After Sunak announced the early elections, Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo received a call and later confirmed that negotiations could continue during the purdah period, which is the period between elections and the formation of a new government when only routine matters can be handled. Picardo stated that negotiation on Gibraltar enjoys the support of all parties in the UK and efforts are ongoing to secure a treaty that benefits Gibraltar and its people, and ensures British sovereignty.
Despite the desires of all parties, the upcoming European elections from June 6th to 9th and the British elections on July 4th may slow down negotiations at a critical moment. The future treaty will need to be ratified by the future parliaments of Westminster and Brussels, and governments in the midst of elections are unlikely to make controversial political decisions. Labour is predicted to win the elections, and Picardo expects a future Labour government to defend Gibraltar’s positions against Spain and the European Commission. However, this future Labour government may face opposition from the Conservative Party, which has been negotiating so far. Despite progress, an agreement has not yet been reached in the tripartite summits involving the European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič, Spanish counterpart José Manuel Albares, and UK representatives.
Despite the optimism expressed by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez that a historic milestone is close to being achieved for the benefit of the people of Campo de Gibraltar, the ongoing election campaigns in both governments may dampen this optimism. The European and British elections are likely to impact the negotiation process at a critical juncture. Both London and Madrid are making efforts to ensure that negotiations on Gibraltar continue smoothly and reach a satisfactory conclusion. The outcome of the elections will have a significant impact on the future of Gibraltar and its relationship with Spain and the EU. The close collaboration between UK, Spain, and Gibraltar officials indicates a commitment to finding a solution that benefits all parties involved and safeguards the interests of the people of Gibraltar.
