Rhun ap Iorwerth Set for Wales' First Non-Labour FM Role

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth is poised to become Wales's first non-Labour first minister as early as Tuesday, following his party's victory as the largest group in the expanded 96-member Senedd.

In the Senedd election results announced Friday, Plaid Cymru secured 43 seats, falling six short of a majority. Reform UK took 34 seats, Labour nine, the Welsh Conservatives seven, the Greens two and the Liberal Democrats one. The outcome ended Labour's continuous control of the Welsh Government since devolution began in 1999, marking its worst result in modern history.

Ap Iorwerth, who led Plaid Cymru to the largest popular vote share in devolution's history, plans to form a minority government without formal coalition partners. He told BBC Wales he prefers a vote on his nomination Tuesday to "hit the ground running," though any delay would be brief. He has contacted leaders of other parties, excluding Reform's Dan Thomas, and seeks cross-Senedd support for Plaid's programme on public services, economy and education.

Labour's interim leader Ken Skates, appointed Saturday after Eluned Morgan resigned upon losing her seat, indicated his party is unlikely to oppose ap Iorwerth....