Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth Set to Become Wales' First Minister

Rhun ap Iorwerth is set to become Wales' next First Minister within days, marking the first time Plaid Cymru will lead the Senedd. Three other Senedd parties have indicated they will either support his nomination or abstain from opposing him, guaranteeing his success.

Plaid Cymru, holding 43 seats, alongside Reform with 34, now represent the largest blocs in Cardiff Bay. To secure the position, ap Iorwerth needs more votes than any other candidate, rather than a simple majority of all Members of the Senedd (MSs).

Interim Labour leader Ken Skates confirmed his group would abstain, as would the sole Liberal Democrat MS, Jane Dodds. However, the Green Party, with its two MSs, has pledged support for ap Iorwerth, effectively preventing any opposition from blocking his path to the top office.

Ap Iorwerth has stated his intention for Plaid Cymru to govern independently, without seeking to form a coalition, though he seeks broad cross-party cooperation for his legislative agenda. He has also signalled a readiness to challenge the UK Labour government if he perceives a failure to act in Wales' best interests, and to confront Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer directly when necessary.

Labour MSs are scheduled to formalise their abstention, with Skates noting that the