Wales witnessed a truly historic political moment today as Rhun ap Iorwerth was officially sworn in as Wales’ new First Minister, becoming the first non-Labour leader to head the Welsh Government since devolution began in 1999.
From emotional scenes inside the Senedd to celebrations among Plaid Cymru members and supporters, the day was filled with images that captured a major turning point in Welsh political history.
Just days after Plaid Cymru secured a landmark victory in the 2026 Senedd election, politicians gathered at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay for the first sitting of the new parliament. The meeting culminated in Rhun ap Iorwerth being confirmed as First Minister following a roll call vote by Members of the Senedd.
The Ynys Môn MS described the appointment as “the greatest privilege of my life” and said he was “eager to repay the trust that the people in Wales have placed in us”.
Photographs from the chamber showed a mixture of celebration, reflection and history unfolding in real time, as Plaid Cymru formally took control of the Welsh Government for the first time.
The occasion also marked another historic milestone for Wales, with the new Senedd now operating under the reformed electoral system introduced for the 2026 election. The vote, held on 7 May, was the first to use the new fully proportional D’Hondt system across 16 six member super constituencies, expanding the Senedd to 96 members.
The election delivered one of the biggest political shifts in modern Welsh history, with Plaid Cymru emerging as the largest party in the Senedd following dramatic losses for Welsh Labour. Voter turnout also exceeded 50% for the first time in Senedd history.
There were emotional moments throughout the day as politicians arrived at the Senedd for the first sitting of the new term, with many newly elected MSs taking part in proceedings for the first time.
Rhun ap Iorwerth was officially sworn in by Mrs Justice Stacey after proceedings were delayed for several hours while the Senedd awaited a Royal Warrant from King Charles III.
Outside the chamber, cameras captured celebrations among Plaid Cymru supporters, while inside, attention quickly turned to what comes next for Wales under a new government.
Reform UK’s Welsh leader Dan Thomas said his party would act as a “robust opposition” and would hold the new administration to account.
The historic images from today are expected to become defining photographs of a new political era in Wales, documenting the moment power shifted away from Labour after more than two decades at the helm of Welsh politics.
Rhun ap Iorwerth is expected to appoint his cabinet ministers on Wednesday during his first full day in office as First Minister.
