Vaughan Gething becomes Wales’ first minister and Europe’s first black leader

Reuters
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Vaughan Gething won Saturday’s Welsh Labor leadership election, becoming the first black leader of Wales’ semi-autonomous government.

“Today, we turn the pages of this country’s history book… It’s not only because I have the honor of being the first black leader of a European nation, but also because the gap between generations is also rising. ” Gething, 50, said in a speech after the results were announced.

“Devolution is not something I have to get used to, adapt to or apologize for. Devolution, Welsh solutions to Welsh problems and opportunities are in my blood,” said the current Economy Minister. Gething added.

Mr Gething, who was born in Zambia, will replace incumbent Mark Drakeford, who announced his resignation in December after five years at the helm of the Welsh Government, which has responsibility for areas with limited powers such as health and education.

Keir Starmer, leader of Britain’s Labor Party, which opinion polls show is likely to win government in a national election later this year, congratulated Gething in a statement.

Mr Starmer said: “On behalf of the entire UK Labor Party, I look forward to campaigning with Mr Vaughan in this new chapter in Wales, to deliver a Labor government across the UK.”

Labor said in a statement that Mr Drakeford will step down as First Minister of Wales on March 19 and that the Welsh Assembly, the Senedd, will formally select the next leader on March 20.

Britain’s Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also congratulated Gething on his victory and said on social media that he was committed to working together constructively.