Eluned Morgan was sworn in on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 as Wales’ first female leader, following a vote by lawmakers in the devolved parliament. Morgan, 57, takes over from Vaughan Gething, who stepped down last month after a series of controversies.
Morgan was elected as the new Welsh Labour leader last month, making her the party’s nominee for first minister of Wales. The nomination was confirmed by lawmakers in the 60-member assembly, the Senedd, which was recalled from recess for the vote.
Gething, who made history as the first black leader of a government in a European country when he was elected in March, faced criticism for accepting a £200,000 ($255,500) donation from a man convicted of environmental crimes and for a leaked phone message that led to a minister’s dismissal. He lost a no-confidence vote, initially vowed to fight on, but ultimately decided to step down.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, leader of the UK Labour party, praised Morgan’s election as “fantastic news” and highlighted her “wealth of experience and a track record of delivery.”
Morgan, a member of the Senedd since 2016 and a former member of the European Parliament for 15 years from 1994, positioned herself as a “unity candidate” during the leadership race. All other potential candidates threw their support behind her.
The Welsh government, based in Cardiff, has devolved powers to set policy in areas such as transport, environment, health, and education.
