Rhun ap Iorwerth has been sworn in as Wales’ first minister, handing Plaid Cymru the top job in Welsh government for the first time.
He called the moment “the greatest privilege of my life,” a line that captured both the personal weight of the day and its political significance. Plaid Cymru has long argued for a stronger Welsh voice in public life, and ap Iorwerth’s appointment turns that argument into executive power.
“The greatest privilege of my life.”
The shift matters beyond symbolism. Wales now enters a new chapter under a leader from a party that has spent years pushing to move from opposition benches into government leadership. Reports indicate the swearing-in marks a major break from the patterns that have defined Welsh politics since devolution.
Key Facts
- Rhun ap Iorwerth has been sworn in as Wales’ first minister.
- He said the role is “the greatest privilege of my life.”
- Plaid Cymru now leads the Welsh government for the first time.
- The appointment signals a significant shift in Welsh politics.
What comes next will define whether this moment stands as a historic milestone or the start of a lasting realignment. Ap Iorwerth now faces the harder task of converting a breakthrough into governing authority, and Wales will watch closely to see how Plaid Cymru uses the power it has won.