A coalition government has been formed in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), in which Dr Natalio Wheatley was sworn in as premier.

The general election results indicated that there was no clear winner and as such the four political parties that will make up the next House of Assembly agreed to establish a coalition.

To assume government, a party has to win at least seven of a total 13 available seats after the votes were counted, each of the territory’s four main parties had claimed at least one.

The Virgin Island Party (VIP) secured six seats, National Democratic Party (NDP) won three seats, while the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) also won three, in addition to Progressives United’s (PU) solitary seat victory.

On Tuesday (April 25), a statement issued by the Government stated that following the elections held in the territory on April 24, Governor John Rankin received a letter from the elected members of the Virgin Islands Party—together with elected at-large representative Lorna Smith—that declares their support for the appointment of Wheatley as premier of the Virgin Islands.

“They also declared support for him to form the Government of the Virgin Islands in accordance with Section 52 of the VI Constitution Order, 2007,” the statement continued.

In accordance with Section 52 of the VI Constitution Order, the governor swore in Dr Natalio D Wheatley as Premier, and his ministers at Government House in Road Town.