Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth announced as first minister of Wales

Rhun ap Iorwerth, leader of Plaid Cymru, has been elected as the first minister of Wales.

On Tuesday, he won the most votes from members of the Welsh parliament, marking a historic first: no non-Labour politician has held the position in the 27-year history of the Senedd.

Mr ap Iorwerth replaces Baroness Eluned Morgan, who lost her seat in last week’s election and subsequently resigned as leader of the Welsh Labor Party following devastating results for the party.

Mr ap Iorwerth announced plans to form a minority government. Plaid Cymru won the largest bloc in the election, but fell short of a majority with 43 members of the Senedd.

The new first minister’s candidacy was supported by two members of the Green Party.

Liberal Democrat member Jane Dodds and members of the Welsh Labor Party chose to abstain from the vote.

Before Mr ap Iorwerth is officially confirmed as first minister, the president of the Senedd will write to the King recommending his formal appointment.

Mr ap Iorwerth described being elected as first minister as “the greatest privilege of my life”.

He also paid tribute to Lady Morgan’s “resilience and determination”.

“Something has stirred in the soul of Wales, a new confidence, a new hope, a new and wider horizon that will never again be narrowed down by dissidents who have other priorities elsewhere,” Mr ap Iorwerth said on Tuesday. he said.

“From this historic moment everyone across our nation can know that the Welsh government is their government.

“They will know that their government has not and will not impose any limits on itself or our citizens on what our nation can achieve.

“My word to everyone is that I will lead without prejudice and without arrogance.

“I will never take this privilege for granted, nor will I impose strength on my principles, because the challenges we face are too numerous and too serious to lose sight of what is at stake.”