Members of the Senedd will nominate Wales’ First Minister on Wednesday with Mark Drakeford expected to continue in the role following Welsh Labour’s election success.
The first plenary session of the sixth Senedd will meet four days after Mr Drakeford’s party equalled its best-ever Welsh Parliament election result by winning 30 seats – leaving it just one short of an outright majority.
The first order of business for the Senedd’s 60 MSs will be to elect a presiding officer – or Llywydd in Welsh – as well as a deputy presiding officer – Dirprwy Llywydd – when proceedings start at 3pm.
Plaid Cymru’s Elin Jones is said to be seeking re-election as Llywydd, which chairs sessions in the Senedd chamber.
BBC News
Published
image captionMark Drakeford s Welsh Labour won exactly half the seats in the Senedd chamber
The Senedd will meet on Wednesday for the first time since last week s election, for votes on key roles in the parliament and the Welsh government.
The first business will be the appointment of the presiding officer, to conduct proceedings, followed by the election of a deputy presiding officer.
Welsh Labour leader Mark Drakeford will also be confirmed as the nominee for the role of first minister.
Labour won 30 of the 60 seats in the chamber in last week s election.
The Queen will be required to approve the nomination before Mr Drakeford is officially reappointed to the job.
Mark Drakeford has been confirmed as the Welsh Parliament’s nominee for First Minister of Wales.
The Welsh Labour leader is set to continue as head of the Welsh Government until he hands over to a successor towards the end of the new parliament’s five-year term.
On Wednesday, the first plenary session since the Senedd election saw Mr Drakeford stand unopposed to continue in the role after his name was put forward by Labour MS Rebecca Evans.
Following his successful nomination for appointment, Mr Drakeford told members his Government would lead “in a way that seeks consensus” from other parties, and promised to tackle issues such as the environment, basic income, and affordable housing in Welsh-speaking areas.
By Press Association 2021
Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford arrives at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay, Wales, with newly elected Labour MS Carolyn Thomas, North Wales (left), Elizabeth Buffy Williams, Rhondda (second left), and Sarah Murphy, Bridgend & Porthcawl (right). MARK Drakeford has been confirmed as the Welsh Parliament’s nominee for First Minister of Wales. The Welsh Labour leader is set to continue as head of the Welsh Government until he hands over to a successor towards the end of the new parliament’s five-year term. On Wednesday, the first plenary session since the Senedd election saw Mr Drakeford stand unopposed to continue in the role after his name was put forward by Labour MS Rebecca Evans.
BBC News
Published
Welsh Labour leader Mark Drakeford has been backed by the Senedd to continue as first minister.
His nomination went unopposed at the Welsh Parliament s first meeting since Thursday s election, where Labour won 30 of 60 seats.
Mr Drakeford vowed that nobody will be left behind as Wales recovers from coronavirus.
Meanwhile Plaid Cymru s Elin Jones was re-elected as presiding officer, with David Rees picked to be her deputy.
Labour, which does not have an outright majority, is expected to govern alone without any coalition or other deal with opposition members.
The MS for Cardiff West was greeted with a round of applause after he was nominated by Finance Minister Rebecca Evans.