The people of Gibraltar are going to the polls today to express their views on whether they agree with shared sovereignty between Spain and Britain over their territory. Britain and Spain state that no agreement has yet been reached regarding this territory in southern Spain, which is a British colony, and both countries will not officially accept the results of today's referendum. Gibraltar's officials decided to hold the referendum after Jack Straw, the British Foreign Secretary, announced that London and Madrid were nearing an agreement on shared sovereignty over Gibraltar. The Chief Minister of Gibraltar expects that the people will express their opposition to shared sovereignty between Spain and Britain by a large majority. Peter Caruana stated yesterday that shared sovereignty over the territory contradicts the right to self-determination of the people of Gibraltar and would cause the territory to remain a colony forever. Spain has repeatedly sought to annex Gibraltar since it became a British colony in 1704.
Elections in Gibraltar - 2002-11-07
Today, the people of Gibraltar are voting on whether to accept shared sovereignty between Spain and Britain over their territory. Both countries have stated they will not recognize the referendum results, and Gibraltar's Chief Minister anticipates a strong opposition to shared sovereignty. This issue is significant as it reflects ongoing colonial tensions and the right to self-determination.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The people of Gibraltar voted in a referendum on shared sovereignty between Spain and Britain. Both countries have stated they will not recognize the results, which are expected to show strong opposition to shared sovereignty.
- The referendum was prompted by discussions between London and Madrid about shared sovereignty.
- Gibraltar's Chief Minister argues that shared sovereignty undermines the right to self-determination.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Gibraltar has been a British territory since 1704, and Spain has long sought its return, leading to ongoing disputes over sovereignty.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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