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Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth has officially become First Minister of Wales.

The Senedd met on Tuesday May 12 – the first time since last week’s election – to appoint the new First Minister, as well as a new presiding officer, or Llywydd.

Winning 43 seats – six short of a majority, Plaid are the largest party in the Senedd, and Mr ap Iorwerth’s appointment to the top job was widely expected.

He was nominated by Plaid Cymru Senedd Members, while Reform members nominated their party leader, Dan Thomas – while Darren Millar was put forward by the Conservatives.

Plaid, and the two Green MSs, chose Mr ap Iorwerth, while Labour and Jane Dodds – the sole Lib Dem in the Senedd – abstained, giving the Bangor Conwy Mon MS the numbers needed to assume the top job.

Mr ap Iorwerth is the seventh person to serve as First Minister since the dawn of devolution, and is the first non-Labour politician to hold the position.

Earlier in the day, Afan Ogwr Rhondda’s Labour MS, who was Deputy First Minister under Eluned Morgan, was chosen to serve as Llywydd.

He was the only candidate nominated for the politically impartial role, which involves chairing meetings.

Conservative MS Paul Davies also put his name forward for the job, but as no one from another party seconded his nomination, his name could not be put forward for the vote – with members overwhelmingly backing Mr Irranca-Davies.

He succeeds Plaid Cymru’s Elin Jones in the role.

However, Mr Irranca-Davies’ appointment drew fierce criticism from Darren Millar, leader of the Welsh Conservatives – who accused Plaid and Labour of a stitch-up, and questioned Mr Irranca-Davies’ suitability for the position given his recent role as Deputy First Minister.