Wales Elects First Female Leader, Eluned Morgan
In a historic move, Eluned Morgan was sworn in as Wales’ first female leader on Tuesday, following a vote by lawmakers in the devolved parliament. Morgan, 57, replaces Vaughan Gething, who stepped down after just four months in charge due to a series of controversies.
Morgan, who became the new Welsh Labour leader last month, will now take on the role of first minister of Wales. The 60-member assembly, known as the Senedd, confirmed her nomination after being recalled from recess.
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 donation from a man convicted of environmental crimes and a leaked phone message that led to a minister’s dismissal. He initially vowed to fight on, but later reversed his decision.
In a statement, Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised Morgan’s election, saying it was "fantastic news" and that she brought "a wealth of experience and a track record of delivery" to the job.
Morgan has a strong background in politics, having served as a member of the European Union parliament for 15 years from 1994 and as a Senedd member since 2016. She promoted herself as a "unity candidate" during her campaign.
Welsh Labour has been plagued by internal divisions in recent months, but all other potential candidates expected to run in the party leadership race threw their support behind Morgan.
As first minister, Morgan will lead the Welsh government, which has limited devolved powers to set policy in areas such as transport, environment, health, and education. The government is based in Cardiff and will play a crucial role in shaping the country’s future.
Morgan’s election marks a significant milestone for women in politics and is a testament to her experience and leadership skills.
