Gibraltar calls elections for October

GIBRALTAR, Sept 7 (Reuters) Gibraltar's Chief Minister Peter Caruana, who has taken a pragmatic approach to relations with Spain, has called a general election for October 11 2007, the disputed British territory's government said today.

The Rock's 20,000 strong electorate are being asked to vote Caruana and his party, the Gibraltar Social Democrats, in for a fourth four-year term. Caruana's main rival is Joe Bossano who leads the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party.

Bossano held government from 1988 to 1996 and this coming election is being widely regarded as his last opportunity to seek a return to office after three defeats.

Last year Caruana also saw in a new Constitution for Gibraltar whilst embarking on the first ever trilateral dialogue process with Spain and Britain on Gibraltar co-operation issues.

The main division between Caruana and his rival is that Bossano insists that the new Constitution has failed to decolonise Gibraltar because it has not had formal United Nations recognition for delisting as a colony. Caruana in turn takes a more pragmatic approach to relations with both Britain and Spain.

Spain has a centuries-old claim over the Rock's sovereignty and until recently imposed sanctions and restrictions. From 1969 to 1985 the land border and communications were cut off by Spain. That was the formative period of Bossano's politics which are highly distrustful of Madrid.

Caruana has presided over a prosperous period for the Rock seeing major development of the finance and gaming sectors and continuous tax cuts for residents as well as increased benefits for the growing pensioner electorate. Key issues are planning, environment, housing and health.

REUTERS PDT KN2048