Wels’ first female regional government
In Wales, a woman is leading the regional government for the first time. The Cardiff Parliament elected former Health Minister Eluned Morgan as the successor to Vaughan Gething. The 57-year-old had been expected to succeed her after being appointed as the new leader of the ruling Labour Party at the end of July. She is the third female First Minister in the British region this year.
Morgan’s predecessor Gething replaced Mark Drakeford in March. However, he was criticised for a donation from a businessman who was convicted of environmental offences. The dismissal of a minister also caused controversy. In early June, Gething lost a non-binding vote of no confidence in the regional parliament and later resigned.
The social democratic Labour Party has ruled the region, known for its mining and heavy industry, without interruption for over a century. The regional parliament was recalled from its summer recess for the election.
Morgan’s succession followed the loss of a vote of no confidence in the Senedd, the Cardiff parliament. Despite the successful election of Eluned Morgan as the new First Minister, controversies surrounding Gething’s leadership, including a questionable donation and ministerial sacking, previously hampered the regional government in the Senedd.
