New coalition government will lead Cayman Islands after tight election race

Apnews - May 2nd, 2025
Open on Apnews

The Cayman Islands is set to be governed by a new coalition government after the recent general election failed to produce a single-party majority. André Ebanks, the newly appointed premier, will lead the coalition comprising three independent candidates and two new political parties: the Cayman Islands National Party and The Caymanian Community Party. This coalition follows the Cayman Islands National Party securing four seats, and The Caymanian Community Party — co-founded by Ebanks — also winning four seats. The People’s Progressive Movement, despite winning seven seats, fell short of a majority in the 21-seat Parliament. Ebanks has committed to addressing the territory's financial stability and tackling a pressing cost of living crisis.

In addition to the political shift, voters in the Cayman Islands approved significant social changes through a referendum. The electorate voted to decriminalize the possession and consumption of small amounts of marijuana and established a national lottery. However, they rejected a proposal to develop cruise berthing infrastructure, citing environmental concerns. These decisions reflect the territory's balancing act between modernization and environmental preservation, highlighting the changing priorities of its citizens and the potential for significant policy shifts under the new government leadership.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a clear and timely report on the recent election and coalition government formation in the Cayman Islands. It accurately presents key facts and outcomes, although some claims require further verification. The article is well-structured and readable, making it accessible to a general audience.

While the article effectively covers the main events, it could benefit from greater transparency in sourcing and more in-depth analysis of the implications of the election results and referendum outcomes. Including diverse perspectives and additional context would enhance the article's balance and engagement potential.

Overall, the article is a solid piece of reporting on a significant political event, but it could be improved by addressing the noted gaps in sourcing, context, and analysis.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story accurately reports the formation of a new coalition government in the Cayman Islands, mentioning that no single party achieved a majority in the recent election. It correctly identifies André Ebanks as the new premier, leading a coalition that includes independent candidates and two newly formed parties. The article specifies the number of seats won by different parties, aligning with available election data.

However, the story's claims about the referendum results, such as the approval of marijuana decriminalization and the rejection of cruise berthing infrastructure, require verification through official sources. The founding details of the political parties mentioned, including the Cayman Islands National Party and the Caymanian Community Party, also need confirmation.

Overall, the article provides a factually accurate account of the election outcomes and coalition formation, but some claims would benefit from additional sourcing or verification.

7
Balance

The article appears balanced in its presentation of the election results and the formation of the new government. It provides information on the number of seats won by each party and mentions the coalition's composition without showing favoritism towards any political group. The piece also includes details about the referendum outcomes, offering a comprehensive view of the political landscape following the election.

However, the article could have improved balance by including perspectives from the opposition or other political figures not part of the coalition. Additionally, it does not delve into the implications of the referendum results, particularly the environmental concerns related to the rejected cruise berthing proposal.

8
Clarity

The article is clearly written, with a straightforward structure that presents the key points in a logical sequence. The language is neutral and concise, making it easy for readers to understand the main events and outcomes of the election.

While the article provides a clear overview of the election and its results, it could benefit from additional context regarding the political significance of the coalition and the implications of the referendum outcomes. Including more background information would help readers unfamiliar with the Cayman Islands' political landscape.

6
Source quality

The article does not reference specific sources or provide direct quotes from officials or political leaders, which limits the assessment of source quality. The lack of attributed sources makes it difficult to evaluate the credibility and reliability of the information presented.

Incorporating statements from government officials, party leaders, or independent election observers would enhance the article's credibility and provide readers with more confidence in the reported facts. The absence of such attributions is a notable gap in the article's sourcing.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of sourcing and methodology. It does not disclose how the information was obtained, whether through interviews, official statements, or other means. This omission makes it challenging for readers to assess the basis of the claims and the potential biases that might affect the reporting.

Greater transparency could be achieved by clearly stating the sources of information and any potential conflicts of interest that might influence the article's content. Providing context about the political environment in the Cayman Islands and the significance of the election results would also enhance transparency.

Sources

  1. https://www.caymancompass.com/2025/05/01/independents-will-be-kingmakers-after-inconclusive-election-result/
  2. https://caymannewsservice.com/2025/05/shocks-and-shakes-of-election-night-results/
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Caymanian_general_election
  4. https://www.caymancompass.com/2025/05/01/election-2025-caymans-elected-representatives-by-district/
  5. https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/party-wins-majority-cayman-islands-election-121351593