Vaughan Gething has emerged victorious in the Welsh Labour leadership election, becoming Wales’ first black First Minister, News About Nigeria reports.
The 50-year-old Gething, born in Zambia, clinched the victory and will be officially inaugurated next week.
Gething’s victory marks the end of Mark Drakeford’s tenure as the incumbent leader, who has held the role since 2018 and announced plans to resign late last year, according to a report by the DailyMail.
The economy minister and former solicitor will assume the role of the country’s fifth leader since the establishment of the National Assembly for Wales in 1999, now known as the Senedd.
Notably, Vaughan Gething previously made history as the first black person to serve as a cabinet minister in Wales.
The results of the leadership election were scheduled to be announced in Cardiff at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, following the closure of voting on Thursday.
Only Labour members and affiliated groups, including trade unions, were eligible to cast their votes in the election.
Gething faced stiff competition from education minister Jeremy Miles but ultimately secured victory with the backing of most major unions and the endorsement of Lord Kinnock, who led the UK party from 1983 to 1992.
In his victory speech, Gething took a moment to express gratitude to his predecessor and competitor, Mark Drakeford, acknowledging his role in steering Wales through challenging times.
He extended hopes for continued friendship with Jeremy Miles once the dust settles.
Addressing the significance of his win, Gething said that he would not only be Wales’ first black First Minister but also the first in Europe, setting a new precedent for the future of Welsh politics.
