Rhun ap Iorwerth Elected First Minister of Wales
Rhun ap Iorwerth was elected as the First Minister of Wales following a vote at the Senedd's first meeting since the election on Thursday, 7 May.
His election came after Plaid Cymru secured the majority of seats, ending Labour's century-long electoral success in Wales, including 27 years in power in Cardiff since devolution.
Rhun ap Iorwerth is the seventh First Minister of Wales and the first not to be from the Labour Party.
He took the oath before the High Court Judge on Tuesday night.
Members of the Senedd also decided that Huw Irranca-Davies of Labour would serve as the Senedd's Presiding Officer, with Kerry Ferguson of Plaid Cymru appointed as Deputy Presiding Officer.
According to the Senedd's standing orders, if the Presiding Officer is a member of the opposition, the Deputy Presiding Officer must be a member of the government.
Election Day and Oath Taking
Rhun ap Iorwerth took the oath before the High Court Judge.
Three candidates were nominated for First Minister: Rhun ap Iorwerth from Plaid Cymru, Darren Millar from the Conservatives, and Dan Thomas from Reform UK.
All Members of the Senedd voted orally, resulting in Rhun ap Iorwerth's election.
"Dwi'n ysu i ad-dalu'r ymddiriedaeth y mae pobl Cymru wedi ei rhoi ynddon ni," said Rhun ap Iorwerth.
Addressing the Senedd, Rhun ap Iorwerth stated that it was "the privilege of my life to be elected First Minister of the nation that means so much to me."
He added, "I begin this journey humbly, indebted to the support and love of my family who are here today, and my mother who influences me as much as ever."
Family and friends of Rhun ap Iorwerth were present in the gallery, visibly emotional as he was elected.
"Dwi'n ysu i ad-dalu'r ymddiriedaeth y mae pobl Cymru wedi ei roi ynddon ni, ac i wireddu'r newid y mae pobl wedi datgan mor glir y maen nhw am ei weld," he said.
He also congratulated the new Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officer.
He paid tribute to former First Minister Eluned Morgan, stating she had "always steered her government with enthusiasm and pride."
"Byddwn yn troi'r genhadaeth honno o garedigrwydd a goddefgarwch yn gefnogaeth i'r rhai sydd ei hangen fwyaf," Rhun ap Iorwerth said.
"Mae Cymru yn winllan sydd wedi'i hymddiried i'n gofal, a byddwn yn gofalu amdani.
"Pan fydd tosturi yn cael ei gefnogi gan y dewrder i weithredu, a phan fydd cydnabyddiaeth o'n potensial heddiw yn cwrdd â dyhead ar y cyd i sicrhau yfory gwell, dyna pryd y bydd llais ein cenedl yn canu gryfaf.
"Dyna pryd y gwyddom fod ein dyddiau gorau o'n blaenau."
"Mae rhywbeth newydd wedi ei danio yn enaid Cymru," he added.
"Hyder newydd, gobaith newydd. Gorwel ehangach a newydd, na fydd yn cael ei gulhau byth eto.
"O'r foment hanesyddol hon ymlaen, bydd pob person ym mhob rhan o'n cenedl yn gwybod bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn llywodraeth iddyn nhw.
"Fy addewid i bawb yw y byddaf yn arwain heb ragfarn neu ragdybiaeth. Ni fyddaf byth yn cymryd y fraint hon yn ganiataol."
The next step for Rhun ap Iorwerth, following his oath, will be to select ministers, which is expected to take place on Wednesday, his first full day in office.
New Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officer
The new Deputy Presiding Officer of the Senedd is Kerry Ferguson, representing the Ceredigion Pembroke constituency.
Huw Irranca-Davies, the former Deputy First Minister, replaces Elin Jones as Presiding Officer.
Kerry Ferguson, a new Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd, previously served as mayor and town councillor in Aberystwyth. On Thursday, she was elected as one of three Plaid Cymru MSs representing the Ceredigion Pembroke constituency.
She succeeds David Rees, who was not re-elected this time.
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