The office is currently vacant, with incumbent Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam declining to appoint one.

Leela Devi Dookhun and Anwar Husnoo were the previous holders of the office and held it since being appointed on 12 November 2019.

In 2005, Dr. Navin Ramgoolam who was then the prime minister proposed a motion at the National Assembly to create offices for two vice prime ministers.

As the Constitution already provides an office of deputy prime minister, the National Assembly voted against the bill.

As no specific office was created for the VPM position, it is essentially an honorific title.