MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Gibraltar ruling party wins by-election; vote of confidence for CM Picardo

Albert Isola had a comfortable win (Photo gibnews.net)

By Jim Watt - Gibraltar’s ruling GSLP candidate Albert Isola had a comfortable win in Thursday’s by-election. The election was called due to the death of the popular MP Charles Bruzon.

With nearly a 10% lead over the rival GSD candidate Marlene Nahon, the result is seen as a vote of confidence in the government of Chief Minister Fabian Picardo.

Mr Isola will be sworn in by the Governor, Sir Adrian Johns Friday morning and will start work as a minister of the Government next week.

Despite a power cut in the morning, the election proceeded smoothly during the day with 12 polling stations which closed at 22.00. A total of 10,036 people voted representing 46.34% of the electorate, which is a low percentage for Gibraltar but the result was widely anticipated.

Mr Isola’s vote was 4899 (49%) Ms Nahon 3,927 votes (40.0%), the PDP's Nick Cruz got 688 (7.0%), while Bryan Zammit an independent candidate attracted just 315 votes (3.2%).

Before the polling stations opened Chief Minister Picardo called on al Gibraltarians to cast their ballot: “Of course I would like people to vote for my particular candidate but I think that it’s important for everyone to play their part in the democratic process, whoever they may vote for, by casting a vote for one of the four candidates or a blank vote.’

“Gibraltar’s democracy can only be strengthened by a good turnout – no matter who wins in the end”, he added.